[REVISION HISTORY]

Codelco industrial accidents and safety measures

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2026-10-12 22:44 UTC → 2026-10-14 22:13 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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.

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