Chile rescuers find remains of 1 trapped El Teniente miner

Chilean state-owned mining firm Codelco said Saturday that the remains of one trapped miner at its El Teniente copper mine had been found. 

Over 100 rescuers have been taking part in an operation to find five trapped miners at the site in Rancagua, which is located south of the capital Santiago in central Chile. The El Teniente mine partially collapsed on Thursday after a "seismic event" in the area, with the tremors also killing another person. 

What did Codelco say?

Andres Music, El Teniente's general manager, said the discovery of the dead miner "deeply saddens us." Music said Codelco will continue its rescue efforts with "strength and hope."  

The identity of the deceased miner has not yet been identified, Codelco said.  

The El Teniente mine is the world's largest underground copper mine (FILE: August 13, 2020)Image: Fabian Cambero/REUTERS

Rescue workers are delving as far as 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) to find the trapped miners. Normal mining operations at El Teniente have been suspended amid the search. 

Chile's President Boric meets families of those trapped

Chile's President Gabriel Boric met with the relatives of the trapped miners on Saturday. He maintained that Codelco "has all the resources, experience and technology" to pursue the trapped miners. 

"In these difficult hours for the families and loved ones, all efforts are focused on the rescue operations for the five trapped miners," Boric said in a video posted on X. "Our priority is and will continue to be supporting the families, keeping them informed of every development. Chile is with you." 

The partial collapse of the El Teniente mine was triggered by a 4.2 magnitude earthquake, which killed one person and injured nine others. It's unclear whether the earthquake was due to natural forces or because of mining activity.    

Chile's copper industry is crucial for its economy and government revenues, with the South American nation serving as the world's biggest copper producer. 

Edited by: Rana Taha