A 49-year-old mechanic died in an accident at Codelco's Radomiro Tomic copper mine in northern Chile on Thursday, October 1, 2026. The worker, Waldo Castillo Barraza, was performing maintenance in the crushing and material handling area when the incident occurred. Codelco has suspended operations in the affected area and is cooperating with authorities investigating the cause.
The fatality at Codelco's Radomiro Tomic mine highlights ongoing safety concerns in Chile's copper sector, potentially impacting production and investor confidence in the world's largest copper-producing country.
A fatal accident occurred at Codelco's Radomiro Tomic copper mine in northern Chile on Thursday, October 1, 2026, resulting in the death of a 49-year-old mechanic. The worker, identified as Waldo Castillo Barraza, was performing maintenance duties in the crushing and material handling sector of the mine when the incident took place around 8:50 AM.
Codelco confirmed the fatality and stated that operations in the affected area have been suspended. The company expressed its condolences to the worker's family and colleagues and reiterated its commitment to safety. Chile's National Geology and Mining Service (Sernageomin) was notified and has dispatched personnel to the site to investigate the circumstances and cause of the accident.
Preliminary information suggests the accident may have involved a conveyor belt system. The incident follows a recent fatality at BHP's Escondida mine in northern Chile and a more serious accident at Codelco's El Teniente mine in July 2025, which resulted in six worker deaths. These events are placing renewed scrutiny on safety practices in Chile's copper mining industry.
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