Mining Suspended at World's Largest Copper Operation After Worker Death, BHP Says
By Rhiannon Hoyle
Mining has been suspended at the world's biggest copper operation, the Escondida mine in Chile, following the death of a worker, BHP Group said.
The employee died Wednesday in an accident that occurred in the mine area during maintenance work, the company said in a statement.
"All mining operational activities have been suspended," said BHP. It didn't say when mining might restart.
The company said it immediately notified authorities and has begun an internal investigation to determine the causes of the accident.
The Escondida mine, in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile, is the world's largest producer of copper concentrates and cathodes. The industrial metal is widely used in construction, electronics and transportation, including for data centers, power grids and electrical vehicles.
Copper prices are already trading near record highs, fanned by supply challenges at a number of key mines worldwide.
Escondida's two open pits feed three concentrator plants as well as two leaching operations.
BHP operates and owns 57.5% of Escondida, a joint venture with Rio Tinto, which has a 30% stake, and a Japanese consortium that owns a 12.5% share.
Write to Rhiannon Hoyle at rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
September 23, 2026 22:29 ET (02:29 GMT)
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