Race Against Time: Trapped Miners in Chile's El Teniente Mine

Codelco rushes to rescue five workers trapped for 18 hours in El Teniente mine, following a tremor. Rescuers face collapsed tunnels and communication hurdles. Operations are partially halted, with ongoing investigations into natural or mining-related causes. The rescue effort is critical in the aftermath of El Teniente's most significant event in decades.

In a race against time, Chile's leading copper producer, Codelco, is striving to reach five workers trapped in the El Teniente mine after a seismic event caused a collapse on Thursday. The massive tremor resulted in one fatality and nine injuries, as rescue efforts face significant obstacles.

The magnitude 4.2 tremor rocked the Andesita unit of El Teniente, sealing off crucial tunnels and disabling all forms of communication with the trapped personnel. General Manager Andres Music confirmed during a press briefing that until aftershocks subside, accessing the area remains perilous, delaying immediate rescue operations.

Codelco is halting mining operations but maintaining concentrator and smelter activities. The company is exploring whether the incident arose from natural causes or mining activity, as it awaits its financial report release. The tragedy marks a substantial challenge for the historic mine, which is crucial to Chile's copper industry.

(With inputs from agencies.)