During the week of October 20-26, members of the International Experts Group (IEG), Vivianne Blanlot and Eduardo Bartolomeo, conducted a series of meetings and interviews as part of their ongoing independent investigation into the El Teniente accident that occurred on July 31. The experts met with division executives, Codelco vice presidents, and board members to assess technical, operational, human, cultural, and organizational factors related to the incident.
Two informational sessions were also held during this period. One session involved the Technical Roundtable for Safe Return—which includes representatives and union leaders from collaborating companies—and another included representatives and executives from 57 contracting firms working with the division. These meetings aimed to share preliminary findings from Codelco’s internal investigation into the accident.
The Labor Directorate began an inspection process at Codelco’s request to update critical positions and remove machinery in specific sectors of the mine. Investigations by the PDI (Investigative Police) and Rancagua Prosecutor’s Office continued inside El Teniente mine. Sernageomin also carried out field inspections.
Support for families affected by the accident is ongoing. On October 22, Claudio Sougarret, El Teniente’s general manager, along with the executive committee, led a safety workshop for managers and contract administrators from partner companies as part of Codelco’s Safe and Progressive Restart of Operations Plan.
Operationally, Codelco reported progress in its restart plan. On Shift A, an average workforce of 9,127 was recorded with 2,089 entering inside the mine; Shift C saw 2,262 workers with 768 admissions. Grinding throughput averaged 91.8 thousand tons per day across Sewell and Colón plants; Colón processed 79.2 thousand tons while Sewell handled 11.7 thousand tons daily. Plant operations continued in SAG2 and Conventional units; SAG1 underwent maintenance until October 24 before resuming dual operation with SAG2 on October 25 amid low stockpiles due to supply limitations.
At the foundry facility, stable operations were maintained using Teniente 1 Converter (CT1) and Gas Cleaning Plant No. 2 (PLGN2), resulting in concentrate melting rates of 2,725 tons per day and molding averages at 483 fine metric tons per day.
Codelco stated: “Codelco reaffirms its commitment to safety, transparency, and collaboration with the competent authorities, as well as to the well-being of its employees and their families, maintaining all necessary actions to ensure a safe and sustained restart of operations.”
