In Santiago on January 30, the South American nation's environmental regulator announced that Canadian miner Lundin must permanently close its Alcaparrosa copper mine in Chile. This decision came after a significant sinkhole formed near the small mine in 2022.
Initially halting operations when a sinkhole over 60 meters deep appeared near Tierra Amarilla village in northern Chile, Lundin had sought permission to resume mining at Alcaparrosa.
The Chilean SMA regulator stated that Lundin was accountable for the sinkhole, hence mandating the mine's closure and imposing a fine of 3.36 billion pesos ($3.41 million).
Regulator head Marie Claude Plumer mentioned in a statement that Lundin operated in unauthorized sectors, up until the Copiapo River aquifer, which allowed more water to infiltrate in and subsequently weaken the rock mass." She further asserted, "The company caused irreparable environmental damage.
In response, Lundin's local unit, Ojos del Salado, expressed intent to analyze the ruling and decide on its future actions.
(Conversion rate: $1 = 984.0500 Chilean pesos)