# Codelco industrial accidents and safety measures

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/codelco-industrial-accidents-and-safety-measures
> Updated: 2026-10-14T10:40:00.000Z. Sources: 36. Developments: 3.

Following industrial accidents at its mining facilities, the state-owned company Codelco has implemented new safety protocols and risk management strategies. In October, two separate incidents were reported: a worker was hospitalized after being pinned by a lubrication truck at the Chuquicamata Division, and a landslide at the El Teniente Division resulted in the death of one employee. In response to operational incidents, Codelco announced advancements in safety at the El Teniente division. These measures include expanding a preventive seismic monitoring network, updating fatality risk standards for rockfalls and rockbursts, and conducting biweekly field inspections with the National Geology and Mining Service. To improve oversight, the company restructured its management to make safety a direct dependency of the executive presidency. Additionally, Codelco has provided 1.5 terabytes of technical records to the Public Ministry to assist in investigations related to recent accidents. On October 11, a new landslide involving a mixture of snow, mud, and rock occurred near the open-pit mine sector at the El Teniente division in Chile’s O’Higgins Region. This incident resulted in the deaths of two workers, aged 34 and 53, who were employees of the subcontractor San Lorenzo. The victims, identified as Guillermo Guajardo López and Diego Ponce Ponce, were traveling in a vehicle performing inspection and road clearing duties near the ADIT 42 area in the Rajo Sur sector when they were struck. A third worker was rescued and transported to a medical center. Sernageomin ordered the immediate suspension of all operations in the Rajo Sur sector. Codelco attributed the event to extreme weather and heavy rains exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon. The Chilean Investigative Police (PDI) and the Public Ministry are investigating the circumstances to determine if safety protocols were followed. A multidisciplinary team from the PDI has been formed to investigate the deaths.

## Claims

- Codelco confirmed the death of two workers who were missing following a landslide at the El Teniente mine. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- One worker was rescued alive and transported to a medical facility. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- Three workers traveling in a vehicle were caught in the landslide. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The landslide was caused by heavy rains and adverse weather conditions in central Chile. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The landslide occurred near ADIT 42 in the Rajo Sur sector of the El Teniente mine. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Aliste Vega passed away before his pardon request could be resolved. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Sernageomin ordered the immediate suspension of all operations in the Rajo Sur sector. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-14: PDI forms team to investigate El Teniente mine worker deaths

Chilean investigators have formed a multidisciplinary team to determine if an avalanche at the El Teniente mine was a natural event or caused by third-party negligence following the deaths of two workers.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pdi-forms-team-to-investigate-el-teniente-mine-worker-deaths

### 2026-10-11: El Teniente mine landslide kills two contract workers in Chile

Two contract workers died and one was injured after a landslide of snow and mud struck a vehicle at Codelco’s El Teniente mine in Chile during extreme weather.

24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/codelco-reports-two-separate-industrial-accidents-in-chile

### 2026-09-24: Codelco implements new safety measures at El Teniente division

Codelco is reinforcing safety at its El Teniente division through expanded seismic monitoring, updated risk standards, and increased cooperation with the Public Ministry following recent mining accidents.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chilean-comptroller-audits-codelco-mining-operations

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Cite as: Codelco industrial accidents and safety measures. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/codelco-industrial-accidents-and-safety-measures
