The Chilean state Codelco gets ready to resume work in her copper mine the Lieutenant tto receive a technical authorization after the fatal accident that left six deathsthe company reported Friday.
Previously, a source with knowledge of the subject He had informed Reuters that the authorization of the mining regulator was issued. “The National Geology and Mining Service (Sernageomin) decided to authorize the partial and progressive restart of underground operations”Said the company in a statement.
The regulator had ordered to paralyze all underground operations of Codelco’s star site due to the risk for security after the collapse of July 31.
“To resume the safe and progressive operation in the authorized areas, the authorization of the Labor Directorate is still subtracted. Once these requirements are met, Division The Lieutenant will report the date and conditions of return to the task, “said the mining company.
Days ago, The largest copper producer had requested the mining regulatory agency Evaluate the return to operations in the unquoted tasks.
For approval, Sernageomin requested continuous monitoring of seismicity and geotechnical parameters, comply with the operational guidelines and disseminate the reopening plan to all personnel.
He added that he will maintain the stoppage of operations in the North, Andesite, Andes Norte and Diamond, and Diamond, Andes “Because more exhaustive technical analyzes are required and the delivery of complementary information.”
The Prosecutor’s Office has said that the worst accident in the mine in 35 years left about 3,700 linear meters of impacted tunnels in the complex of more than 4,500 kilometers of underground galleries.
After the accident, Sernageomin had asked the delivery of four reports on the incident to the mining company to evaluate the return to underground tasks.
Although plants and casting were not affected by the paralysis order, in later days Codelco had to start maintenance work due to the lack of mineral to process.
Until now, The firm has not predicted how much might take on the operations of the sitewhich produced 356,000 tons of copper in 2024. It has not delivered an estimate of losses either.
The Lieutenantwhich operates from 1905 about 75 kilometers southeast of Santiago in the Andes mountain range, It is the largest underground site in the world and Codelco’s flagship mine.
