In northern Chile, a huge hole suddenly opened up in a mining area in the Atacama region. The so-called sinkhole with a diameter of about 25 meters appeared in the area of the Alcaparrosa mine last Saturday, the National Bureau of Geology and Mining (SERNAGEOMIN) reported on Twitter on Monday.
Photos showed the circular cavity opening into the arid landscape and stretching to unforeseen depths. According to the Servicio Nacional de Geología y Mineria (SERNAGEOMIN), based in Santiago de Chile, the hole is 200 meters above part of a copper mine. Canadian operator Lundin Mining confirmed the sinkhole.
Working in mine temporarily suspended
The affected area was immediately cordoned off and work there was temporarily halted. The hole has been “stable” since its discovery, and no movement in the ground has been detected since, the company said. An attempt is now being made to find out what caused the hole.
The mayor of the affected municipality of Tierra Amarilla, Cristobal Zuniga, expressed concern that the excavation took place near a residential area and a local health center. A hole of this magnitude has never been seen in his community, Zuniga explains in a video published on his Facebook channel.
It should be investigated to what extent the hole is related to the mining activities and whether mining could pose a threat to the area and its neighbours. “We are seeking responses from SERNAGEOMIN and the relevant authorities to investigate why this has happened and assess the risks if this could happen in another populated area of our Tierra Amarilla municipality,” Zuniga told ADN radio station.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
