SANTIAGO — Chile’s national copper commission ordered an immediate suspension of operations at the nation’s three largest open-pit mines following a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck 45 kilometers offshore from Antofagasta, triggering tsunami warnings across the Pacific. The tremor damaged port loading infrastructure, halting export shipments of approximately 180,000 metric tons of copper concentrate.
No injuries were reported at Escondida, Collahuasi or Chuquicamata, but engineers detected fractures in conveyor tunnel systems at Escondida requiring at least two weeks to repair. More than 200,000 people in low-lying coastal areas were ordered to evacuate. President Boric cut short a visit to Argentina and returned to oversee the emergency response.
Diego Vargas is Media Hook’s Latin America Correspondent.
Written by Diego Vargas, Latin America Correspondent