Two contract workers died following an avalanche in the Rajo Sur sector of Codelco’s El Teniente Division, in the O'Higgins Region. The accident occurred on Sunday during operations at the mine, and the copper company confirmed on October 11 that emergency teams had found both workers dead.
According to Emol, the incident prompted a wave of questions in Congress about safety protocols and the management of the state-owned company. The Investigative Police (PDI) and the Public Prosecutor’s Office are conducting inquiries to establish the circumstances, according to La Tercera.
The chair of the Chamber’s Mining Committee, Deputy Cristián Tapia (Ind.-PPD), raised specific concerns. "Was it known that there was an accumulation of snow where they were passing through?" he asked. He also questioned why the workers were carrying out inspections if operations had been suspended because of bad weather.
Tapia recalled a recent precedent. A year and two months ago, six workers died in the same division and, he said, what happened is still unclear. He added that 11 workers have died in mining accidents in 2026. "We are the country that produces the most copper, but we are also one of the countries with the most fatal accidents," he said.
Deputy Sebastián Videla (Ind.) went further. He announced that he would ask the committee to demand the resignation of the El Teniente Division’s Safety Manager and demanded the same treatment for the contracting companies. He said he had spoken with workers and unions who reported "serious situations," including the way the news was communicated to the families.
Carlo Arqueros (Republican) said he would formally request information from the National Geology and Mining Service (Sernageomin), the agency that oversees safety at mining sites. He will request details about the work the deceased were doing, conditions at the site, current protocols, preliminary causes and the progress of the inspection.
Deputy Valentina Cáceres (Ind.), who represents O'Higgins, and Deputy Gustavo Gatica (Ind.-PC) called for a rigorous investigation. In the Senate, Juan Luis Castro (PS) called for the safety measures adopted to be clarified promptly.
Senator Javier Macaya (UDI) focused on the company’s leadership. He said assessments had identified shortcomings in management and overproduction, with errors that "have cost human lives." He said the Prosecutor’s Office was investigating because "crimes are probably involved" and called for a change of course at Codelco.
President José Antonio Kast conveyed the government’s condolences to the families. Labor Minister Tomás Rau said the Labor Directorate was already investigating the causes. Economy and Mining Minister Daniel Mas said he had instructed Sernageomin and other oversight bodies to cooperate with the investigation and ensure the necessary corrections.
The sources have not yet specified the identities of the deceased or the contracting company they worked for. The next step will be the Mining Committee session, where Videla will present his request for the resignation.
