BHP halts operations at world's largest copper mine after fatal accident
BHP has suspended all operations at its Escondida copper mine in Chile, the world's largest, after a worker was killed in an accident involving a front-end loader.
BHP has suspended all operations at its Escondida copper mine in Chile — the world’s largest — after a worker was killed in an accident on Wednesday, the company has said.
The worker died while carrying out maintenance work in an accident involving a front-end loader used in mining, union head Sebastian Liberona told Reuters. BHP said: “All operational activities at the mine have been suspended,” without giving a timeline for a restart.
Chile’s mining regulator, Sernageomin, said it was sending a team to investigate the fatal accident.
Escondida sits in Chile’s Atacama Desert and is operated by BHP, with Rio Tinto holding a 30 per cent stake and Japan-based JECO Corp 12.5 per cent. The miner had estimated the site would produce up to 1.28 million tonnes of copper this year, making the stoppage potentially significant for global supply.
In Chile, mines typically may only restart after a fatal incident once inspectors verify conditions are safe enough.
Sources
- Reuters — “Fatal accident occurs at BHP’s Chile copper mine” (2026-09-23): https://www.reuters.com/business/fatal-accident-occurs-bhps-chile-copper-mine-2026-09-23/
- DevDiscourse (syndicated) — “World’s largest copper mine halts operations after worker death”: https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/international/3981487-worlds-largest-copper-mine-halts-operations-after-worker-death
- BHP (company statement, via DevDiscourse syndicated feed)
- Sernageomin (Chilean mining regulator, via Reuters)
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