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BHP suspends operations at Escondida after worker death

BHP said it has suspended all operational activity at the world’s largest copper mine, and Chile’s Sernageomin has dispatched a regional team to investigate.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Mining

BHP has halted operations at its Escondida copper mine in northern Chile after a fatal accident, with Chile’s National Geology and Mining Service, Sernageomin, confirming the death on Sept. 23.

Sernageomin said it ordered the immediate deployment of a regional team to the site to gather information and begin an investigation, though it did not provide details on the circumstances or identify the victim. Reuters reported the accident involved a front-end loader used in mining, and BHP said the worker was killed while carrying out maintenance work.

BHP said all operational activities at the mine have been suspended, without specifying a timeline for when work could restart.

Escondida is the world’s largest copper mine, operated by BHP with a 57.5% stake, while Rio Tinto holds 30% and Japanese investors own the remainder. The mine’s operations are also in a period of contract negotiations with a worker vote expected by the end of September, with the union seeking rejection of the offer and warning a strike could follow.

Latest closeCopper $6.766 ▲0.1%

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