Chile’s state-run Codelco, the world’s largest copper producer, announced on Friday it was replacing some executives following the results of an investigation into a deadly mine collapse at its El Teniente mine.
Codelco said it is removing El Teniente general manager Claudio Sougarret, who was operations manager of the unit in 2023, current vice president of operations Mauricio Barraza, and Rodrigo Andrades, El Teniente project manager who was formerly mining manager.
The company said an internal audit following the July 31 incident at El Teniente detected inconsistencies and “concealment” of certain reported technical aspects following a previous rock explosion in the mine in 2023.
Codelco said Sougarret would be replaced by Gustavo Reyes and Barraza will be replaced by Lindo Quiroga.
Sougarret assumed as general manager last August, replacing Andres Music following the deadly collapse at El Teniente in July that left six dead.
The collapse happened in an expansion project at the flagship mine that was meant to boost output at a time when the company is struggling to lift production.
On Tuesday, Sougarret said the mine’s output was expected to remain at a lower level for the next five years, up from a previous estimate of three years of depressed levels following the accident.
(By Fabian Cambero; Editing by Cassandra Garrison)
