CHILE · MINING SAFETY
Key Facts
- —What is happening Chile’s Ministry of Mining called a Mining Safety Roundtable for Friday, 16 October, after a run of worker deaths this year, and on Thursday, 15 October, regulator Sernageomin said it has not ruled out closing sites that fail safety checks.
- —Why it matters Chile mined about 5.3 million tonnes of copper in 2025, close to a quarter of the world total, so a run of fatal accidents raises the prospect of safety stoppages at mines that US buyers depend on.
- —The numbers A count of 13 worker deaths in 2026, seven of them since 23 September, is not yet confirmed officially; the regulator’s own figure on 12 October was 11 deaths in 10 accidents, against 20 in 2025.
- —Who is who Daniel Mas is the minister of economy and mining; Sernageomin is Chile’s national geology and mining service, which inspects mines and is led by acting director Mauricio Lorca; Codelco is the state copper miner that runs El Teniente.
- —What to watch The roundtable meets on Friday, 16 October, and Sernageomin has promised regional safety committees within seven business days, while Codelco must prove the halted sectors at El Teniente are safe before any restart.
- —Power Index Chile ranks 3rd of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 63.6 points (October 2026 edition).
- —What it means for you US copper buyers and investors should watch for safety stoppages, since Chile supplied 68% of US refined copper imports from 2021 to 2024, although no loss of output has been confirmed so far.
Chile’s mining regulator says it will use its legal powers against unsafe sites after a run of worker deaths. The Ministry of Mining meets worker representatives, companies and lawmakers on Friday to agree preventive action.
Chile mine safety talks open on Friday, 16 October, after Chilean outlets counted 13 worker deaths at mines this year. Chile supplied 68% of the refined copper the United States imported from 2021 to 2024, the US Geological Survey says.
On Thursday, 15 October, Sernageomin, the national geology and mining service, said it would use its legal powers against unsafe sites. Its emergency unit chief did not rule out closing operations, though no general closure has been announced.
Chile Mine Safety Talks Set for Friday
The Ministry of Mining called the Mining Safety Roundtable on Wednesday, 14 October, BioBioChile and CNN Chile reported. Worker representatives, company executives, industry associations, lawmakers and Sernageomin are invited to the session on Friday, 16 October.
Daniel Mas, who holds both the economy and mining portfolios, said: “Every life lost at a mining site strikes us all.” He called for a transparent review of what failed and for urgent measures.
Mining Undersecretary Álvaro González said the roundtable would not be for passive diagnoses but for agreeing preventive actions. The stated goal is zero fatalities in the industry.
What Sernageomin Said About Closures
Pedro Berríos, head of Sernageomin’s emergency unit, said it is not possible that so many people die at large mining operations. El Desconcierto and Radio Maray carried his remarks on Thursday, 15 October.
He said companies, not only workers, must answer for safety, and that the agency would not compromise on failures that cost lives. Berríos added that more control is needed and tied the gap to budget cuts that limit inspectors and new technology.
On closures, Berríos said Sernageomin would “inspect, fine, sanction and close” if it has to. The wording is conditional, and none of the reports reviewed describes an order to shut a whole mine.
Mauricio Lorca, Sernageomin’s acting national director, said the agency will step up inspections and its presence in the regions. It will also require companies to present concrete measures with named people responsible and verifiable deadlines.
Sernageomin will activate regional mining safety committees within seven business days, Publimetro reported. Every shift must also begin with a block for reviewing safety, hazards and critical barriers.
El Teniente Sectors Stay Halted
At El Teniente, Codelco’s copper mine in the O’Higgins region, Sernageomin ordered a provisional halt after the avalanche of Sunday, 11 October. The order covers the Botadero Cráter Norte sector and other areas exposed to avalanches or ground movement, Emol reported.
The halt is not a shutdown of the whole division, and only emergency work, technical assessments and risk control may continue. To lift it, Codelco must file technical documentation and present a progressive restart plan.
Gabriel Jeldres, Sernageomin’s acting deputy director of mining, said Codelco must show with verifiable evidence that risks are controlled. Prosecutors and the PDI, Chile’s national detective police, are investigating the deaths, and a separate report covers the negligence probe.
The Run of Deaths Since 23 September
Chilean outlets put this year’s toll at 13 deaths, seven of them since 23 September and four in under a week. Sernageomin’s own count on 12 October, cited by Emol, was 11 deaths in 10 accidents, against 20 in all of 2025.
Emol listed deaths at the Escondida copper mine on Wednesday, 23 September, and at Codelco’s Radomiro Tomic division on Thursday, 1 October. It also listed a worker’s death in the Atacama region on Tuesday, 6 October.
Two contractors died in the El Teniente avalanche on Sunday, 11 October. A worker died at the Nueva California plant in Illapel on Tuesday, 13 October, El Desconcierto said.
Publimetro reported that a bulldozer operator died at the Aguilucho mine near Taltal after his machine fell about 50 metres. BioBioChile dates it to Wednesday, 14 October, and Publimetro says Sernageomin and the PDI opened investigations.
What It Means for US Readers
Chile mined about 5.3 million tonnes of copper in 2025, close to a quarter of world output, the US Geological Survey estimates. The agency estimates that the United States relied on imports for 57% of its apparent copper consumption in 2025.
The El Teniente halt covers sectors, not the whole division, and Sernageomin has announced no general closure. None of the reports reviewed mentions a loss of copper output.
Codelco, the state copper miner, runs El Teniente and Radomiro Tomic, two of the sites named. US buyers and investors can watch Friday’s talks and new Sernageomin orders for signs of wider stoppages.
What Is Not Known
It is not known whether Sernageomin will close any operation, since its closure language was conditional and no order has been announced. Nor is it known what the Friday roundtable will agree beyond the stated goal of zero deaths.
Publimetro gives “This is not possible” to “the authority” in a report naming Lorca, while two other outlets credit Berríos. The 13 is a media count; Sernageomin’s latest figure found, 11 on 12 October, predates the Illapel and Taltal deaths.
What Comes Next
The Mining Safety Roundtable meets on Friday, 16 October, and Sernageomin has promised regional committees within seven business days. It will also relaunch its 21 mining safety rules and keep ordering immediate preventive stoppages wherever it finds imminent danger.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sernageomin?
Sernageomin is Chile’s National Geology and Mining Service, the state agency that inspects mines and can order stoppages. Mauricio Lorca is its acting national director.
How many miners have died in Chile in 2026?
Chilean outlets put the toll at 13 deaths, seven of them since 23 September. Sernageomin’s tally on 12 October stood at 11 deaths in 10 accidents.
Is Chile closing its mines?
No general closure has been announced. Sernageomin said it would inspect, fine, sanction and close if it has to, and it has halted parts of El Teniente.
What happens at the Friday meeting?
The Ministry of Mining has invited worker representatives, companies, industry associations, lawmakers and Sernageomin. The goal is to agree preventive actions toward zero deaths.
Does this affect US copper supply?
No loss of copper output has been reported. Chile supplied 68% of US refined copper imports from 2021 to 2024, so US buyers follow its mine safety closely.
Sources: US Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Copper; Publimetro, 15 October; CNN Chile, Mining Safety Roundtable; BioBioChile, roundtable, 14 October; BioBioChile, 2026 mining deaths, 14 October; Radio Maray, 15 October; El Desconcierto, 15 October; El Desconcierto, El Teniente halt, 13 October; El Desconcierto, Illapel, 13 October; Emol, Sernageomin halt, 12 October; Emol, 2026 mining deaths, 12 October (all accessed 15 October 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief