Sinkhole bigger than tennis courtroom has Chile perplexed

Specialists in Chile on Tuesday had been investigating the looks of an unlimited sinkhole, greater than a tennis courtroom, that has appeared close to a copper mine within the Atacama desert.

Specialists had been dispatched to look at the opening, some 32 meters (104 ft) throughout and twice as deep, which appeared in an space about 800 kilometers (almost 500 miles) north of Santiago over the weekend, the Nationwide Geology and Mining Service (Sernageomin) mentioned in an announcement.

A 100-meter safety perimeter has been erected across the gap within the Tierra Amarilla municipality, close to the Alcaparrosa mine operated by Canadian agency Lundin Mining.

The corporate mentioned in an announcement there had been “no impression to personnel, gear or infrastructure,” and the sinkhole has remained secure since its detection.

As a safety measure, “growth work in an space of the Alcaparrosa underground mine has been briefly suspended,” the corporate mentioned.

Sernageomin director David Montenegro mentioned consultants would search to find out the reason for the collapse and “be sure that all security measures are taken to safeguard the lives of staff and communities near the location.”

Cristian Zuniga, mayor of the Tierra Amarilla municipality of some 13,000 inhabitants, informed journalists the sinkhole was unprecedented.

“We ask that the trigger be clarified: whether or not the collapse is the product of mining exercise or one thing else,” he mentioned.

Chile is the world’s largest copper producer, liable for 1 / 4 of worldwide provide.

© 2022 AFP