Chile Orders Closure of Small Copper Mine Over Sinkhole

Published FEB 1 2025

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Above: Aerial view taken on Aug. 1, 2022, showing a large sinkhole that appeared over the weekend in Tierra Amarilla, Copiapo Province, in the Atacama Desert in Chile, near the Alcaparrosa mine operated by Canadian firm Lundin Mining. Image credit: Johan Godoy/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images

The Spin

Narrative A

After a rigorous examination, Chilean regulators have found serious breaches of operational protocols and permits that led to irreversible damage to the Copiapó River aquifer. The closure of the Alcaparrosa mine must serve as a reminder to any mining company that environmental compliance in non-negotiable.

Discovery Alert

Narrative B

Lundin Mining has maintained a cooperative stance throughout the investigation, providing monitoring technology, studies, and expert guidance to assist the process. Now, the company will review the decision to determine appropriate next steps regarding the alleged environmental permit breaches.

Lundin Mining Corporation