Chile has issued a warning that the area surrounding the copper mine, where a massive “sinkhole” unexpectedly appeared, is at high risk of further collapse, and a security perimeter has been established there.
Chilean government agencies and the mine’s owners are investigating the cause of the mysterious sinkhole that emerged in late July, measuring up to 36.5 meters (120 feet) in diameter.
This area is at significant risk of further cracking or collapsing near the Alcaparrosa Mine, located approximately 665 kilometers (413 miles) north of Santiago, as determined by the Atacama Regional Disaster Risk Management Committee on the evening of August 27 (local time).
The Chilean Emergency Office stated on its social media account: “Considering that the aforementioned scenario (sinkhole) poses a threat to life and human safety, access to the aforementioned area has been restricted until technical studies ensure safety.”
The sinkhole measuring several meters in diameter, located in a mining area near the town of Tierra Amarilla, in Copiapó, Chile, on August 7. (Photo: CNN)
The Canadian mining group Lundin owns 80% of the asset, while the remaining 20% is held by Sumitomo Metal Mining and Sumitomo Corp from Japan.
Although the Chilean government has accused the mining company of being responsible for this phenomenon of the “sinkhole” due to over-extraction, a senior executive from the company recently told Reuters that further studies are needed to determine the cause and origin of the subsidence.
Operations at the copper mine are currently suspended. Both the Chilean government and the mine management company have stated that, so far, no danger has been detected to the nearby town of Tierra Amarilla.
