A contract maintenance worker died on October 1 at Codelco's Radomiro Tomic copper mine in northern Chile, and the company halted work in the crushing and materials-handling area. It is the latest in a run of deaths at Chile's big copper mines.
At a glance
- The 49-year-old mechanic worked for Berliam, a contractor doing maintenance at the mine.
- Radomiro Tomic produced 139,000 tonnes of copper in 2025.
- A worker also died during maintenance at BHP's Escondida mine in late September.
Background
Codelco is Chile's state-owned copper company, and Chile is the world's largest copper-producing country. Radomiro Tomic is one of the operations behind Codelco's output in the north, near the town of Calama in the Antofagasta region. Crushing is the step where mined rock is broken into smaller pieces, and conveyor belts then carry it on for processing.
What happened
The accident happened at about 8:50 a.m. local time on Thursday, October 1, while the worker was carrying out maintenance. Codelco named him as Waldo Castillo Barraza, a 49-year-old mechanic employed by Berliam, a contractor serving the Radomiro Tomic division.
Preliminary information from Senapred, Chile's disaster response agency, links the accident to an area around a conveyor belt. Codelco immediately suspended work in the crushing and materials-handling area and opened an investigation. The mining regulator, Sernageomin, sent inspectors to the site. Senapred said no other emergencies were reported in connection with the accident.
A run of fatal accidents
The death adds to a series of fatal accidents at Chile's major copper mines. A worker died during maintenance at BHP's Escondida mine in late September. It is the third mining death in the Antofagasta region this year.
Codelco's worst recent accident came on July 31, 2025, when six workers were killed at El Teniente, the world's largest underground copper mine. That forced the company to halt production across several areas while authorities investigated.
What it means
Radomiro Tomic produced 139,000 tonnes of copper in 2025. Codelco has not said how long the crushing area will stay closed, so the effect on output is not yet clear.
The mine's own history shows how far an accident can reach. After a fatal accident there in 2024, Radomiro Tomic ran with about one-third of its truck fleet while Codelco made safety changes. For copper buyers, the risk is that a short stoppage turns into weeks of reduced output if regulators order wider changes.
Our read
Outlook: neutral. The halt covers one area of one mine, and its length is not yet known. It would matter for copper prices only if the stoppage drags on or regulators order wider limits.
What to watch
- How long Codelco keeps Radomiro Tomic's crushing and materials-handling area shut.
- The findings of Codelco's investigation and any measures ordered by Sernageomin.
For information only, not investment advice.
Copper price in India
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Detailed analysis
Timeline
- 2025-07-31: Six workers are killed at Codelco's El Teniente mine.
- 2026-10-01: A contractor dies at Radomiro Tomic, and Codelco halts work in the crushing area.
Government Policies
Sernageomin inspections after a death can limit operations, as when the mine ran a third of its trucks in 2024.
Mining Production
Codelco halted Radomiro Tomic's crushing area, which could dent output at a mine that made 139,000 tonnes in 2025.
What could lift prices
- A long halt at Radomiro Tomic would cut copper supply from Chile.
- Repeated accidents could bring tighter safety checks across Chile's copper mines.
What could weigh on prices
- The suspension covers only one area, so most of Codelco's output is unaffected.
- If work resumes quickly, the lost tonnage will be small.
Country impact
| Country | Impact | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Chile | Medium | It is the third mining death in the Antofagasta region this year, putting mine safety under scrutiny. |
Industry impact
| Industry | Effect | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Copper Mining | Negative | Fatal accidents bring stoppages, investigations and possible new safety limits. |
Who gains, who loses
- Other copper suppliers: Any lost Codelco output leaves buyers relying more on other mines.
- Codelco: It faces lost output and an investigation at one of its northern operations.
Other ways this could play out
- If Sernageomin clears the area quickly, Radomiro Tomic's output loss will be limited to a few days.
- If regulators order wider changes, as in 2024, the mine could run at reduced rates for weeks.
Price risks
- A long or widening stoppage would tighten Chilean copper supply.
- Further accidents at other Chilean mines would add to supply worries.
Historical comparison
- 2024: After a fatal accident, Radomiro Tomic ran with about one-third of its truck fleet while Codelco made safety changes.
- July 2025: Six workers were killed at El Teniente, forcing Codelco to halt production across several areas.
Technical view
Price is trading above both its 20-period and 50-period moving averages, a bullish alignment.
Computed from metalscost.com's own stored price history.
