Chilean media showed aerial images of the onshore hole mined by Lundin Mining, a Canadian company, about 665 kilometers (413 miles) north of the capital, Santiago. The national geology and mining agency, Sernageomin, became aware of the sinkhole on Saturday and sent specialized personnel to the area, agency director David Montenegro said. “There is a considerable distance, about 200 meters (656 feet), to the bottom,” Montenegro said. “We haven’t detected any material down there, but we have seen the presence of a lot of water.” A sinkhole is exposed in a mining zone near the town of Tierra Amarilla, Copiapo, Chile. Photo: Reuters Sernageomin reported the closure of areas from the entrance to the Alcaparrosa mine site, located near the sinkhole. In a statement on Monday afternoon, Lundin Mining said the sinkhole did not affect any workers or members of the community and had “remained stable” since it was first identified. “Upon detection, the area was immediately cordoned off and the appropriate regulatory authorities were notified. There was no impact on personnel, equipment or infrastructure,” the statement said. Lundin Mining said a technical analysis was underway to determine the cause of the incident. “The nearest house is more than 600 meters (1,969 feet) away, while any residential area or public service is almost a kilometer away from the affected zone.” Lundin Mining owns 80% of the property and the rest is owned by Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation. Chilean media showed aerial images of the sinkhole on land operated by a Canadian copper mine, Lundin Mining, about 665 kilometers (413 miles) north of the capital Santiago. Photo: Reuters
