BHP began a progressive restart of its Escondida mine in Chile on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. This follows a full suspension of operations at the world’s largest copper mine.
The company halted production after a worker sustained fatal injuries during maintenance activities. Chile’s National Geology and Mining Service (Sernageomin) launched an immediate investigation into the incident.
Management is currently assessing workforce wellbeing and operational readiness alongside regulatory authorities. Any prolonged disruption at the facility impacts global copper supply chains.