Body found in collapsed Chile mine as search continues for trapped miners | Chile
While the rescuers continue to search for survivors, Chile’s state’s Codelco group on Saturday was found dead after a partial collapse in the world’s largest underground copper mine.
The collapse took place on Thursday at the El Teneiente Maden in Rangagua, 100 km south of Santiago, after a “seismic event”.
It was not yet known whether the shaking was natural or whether it was caused by drilling.
At least 100 people participated in the rescue operation for workers who extended the mine to a depth of 1,200 meters. The rescue team is trying to drill 90 meters of rock to reach miners.
“As part of the search operation, human residues were found and not yet defined by the authorities.
Andres Music, General Manager of El Teniente, tells us that the discovery of the miner is deeply upset, but that we are right in the right place to find other lost workers. ”
On Saturday, Chile President Gabriel Boric visited the relatives of the miners and promised to “complete the search”.
“Codelco has all resources, experience and technology to perform research,” he said.
Paulo Marin Tapia, another miner – not one of the five caught – the partial collapse of the mine was found on Friday shortly after the partial collapse.
El Teniente, which operates in the early 1900s and has more than 4,500km underground tunnels, was suspended.
Last year, the site produced 356,000 metric tons of copper – about 7% of the total for Chile.
In 2024, Chile is the world’s largest copper manufacturer responsible for about one quarter of the global supply with approximately 5.3 million metric tons.
Metal wiring is critical for motors and renewable energy technology.
With Associated Press
