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Fatal accident reported at BHP's Escondida copper mine in Chile

BHP said all operations at Escondida have been suspended, with a worker killed during maintenance at the world’s largest copper mine.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Mining

A worker died in an accident at BHP’s Escondida copper mine in northern Chile, according to Chile’s National Geology and Mining Service, Sernageomin. The agency confirmed the fatality on Sept. 23 and ordered the immediate deployment of a regional team to collect information and begin an investigation, without providing additional details or identifying the victim.

Mining.com reports that the accident involved a front-end loader used in mining, according to a union head. BHP said the worker was killed while carrying out maintenance work.

The accident has halted activity at the site, with BHP stating that all operational activities at the mine have been suspended, though it did not provide a restart timeline. Escondida is operated by BHP, which holds a 57.5% stake, with Rio Tinto at 30% and Japanese investors holding the remainder.

Mining.com also notes that the mine is amid contract negotiations with Escondida workers, with a vote planned by the end of September. The union is asking workers to reject the offer, and a potential strike could follow, while Comex warehouses hold 69% of the roughly 1 million tons of copper tracked by global exchanges.

Latest closeCopper $6.766 ▲0.1%

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