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Chile mining sector faces safety crisis after series of fatal accidents
Chile's mining sector is facing a crisis of safety following a series of fatal accidents. Reports indicate that 13 miners have died in accidents during 2026, with seven fatalities occurring in the last month alone.
Recent incidents include a 66-year-old worker dying at the Nueva California processing plant in Illapel after falling into a crushing machine, and a 61-year-old operator dying in Taltal after a bulldozer fell 50 meters into an excavation at the Rajo Aguilucho mine. Additionally, two workers died at Codelco's El Teniente division due to a snow and mud avalanche.
In response, the Ministry of Mining, led by Biminister Daniel Mas, has called for an urgent Mining Safety Table meeting to include workers, companies, and regulators. Sernageomin has announced the relaunch of its ‘21 Golden Rules of Mining’ safety campaign to reinforce prevention and oversight across the industry.
Entities
Aucó · Chile · Codelco · Daniel Mas · Dirección del Trabajo · Illapel · Mina Aguilucho · Ministry of Mining · Nueva California · Sernageomin
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] A 61-year-old bulldozer operator died after falling 50 meters at the Rajo Aguilucho mine in Taltal. amigospenquistas.cl · www.atentos.cl
- [● 2 SOURCES] Six mining workers have died in the last 21 days across various Chilean regions. www.atacamanoticias.cl · www.chanarcillo.cl
- [● 6 SOURCES] A 66-year-old worker died after falling into a crushing machine at the Nueva California plant in Illapel. www.elillapelino.cl · www.nuevamineria.com · www.elinformadorchile.cl · radioriquelme.cl · www.atacamanoticias.cl · +1 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Dirección del Trabajo ordered a total suspension of activities at the Nueva California plant pending safety inspections.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Two workers died at Codelco's El Teniente division due to a snow and mud avalanche. www.atacamanoticias.cl · mineriaenlinea.com · www.chanarcillo.cl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Six fatalities in 2026 occurred in large-scale mining, five in artisanal mining, and one in small-scale mining. www.nuevamineria.com
- [DISPUTED] 12 mining fatalities have been confirmed in Chile during 2026. www.nuevamineria.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Mining fatalities in Chile increased by 81.8% in 2025 compared to the previous year. www.atacamanoticias.cl · www.chanarcillo.cl
- [DISPUTED] A total of 13 miners have died in accidents during 2026. amigospenquistas.cl · www.atentos.cl · www.prensa-latina.cu
- [● 2 SOURCES] Sernageomin is relaunching and updating the '21 Golden Rules of Mining' safety campaign. www.nuevamineria.com · www.prensa-latina.cu
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Ministry of Mining has called for an immediate meeting of the Mining Safety Table. www.diarioestrategia.cl · www.prensa-latina.cu · reportediario.cl · diariorancagua.cl · radioallen.cl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Three workers died in mining accidents within a 48-hour period. amigospenquistas.cl