Chilean officials probe mysterious sinkhole near Lundin copper mine

Closures reported of areas from the entrance to the work site of the Alcaparrosa mine

Article content

SANTIAGO — Chilean authorities started investigating on Monday a mysterious sinkhole about 25 metres in diameter that appeared over the weekend in a mining area in the north of the country.

Article content

Sernageomin reported the closure of areas from the entrance to the work site of the Alcaparrosa mine, located near the sinkhole.

In a statement released on Monday afternoon, Lundin Mining said the sinkhole did not affect any workers or community members.

“The closest home is more than 600 metres (1,969 feet) away while any populated area or public service are almost a kilometre away from the affected zone,” the statement read.

Lundin Mining owns 80 per cent of the property and the rest is held by Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation.

© Thomson Reuters 2022

If you liked this story, sign up for more in the FP Energy newsletter.