Chile’s State-run Codelco said on Saturday it would temporarily halt construction on a new level at its flagship El Teniente mine, a move it said was necessary to combat the fast-spreading coronavirus pandemic.
World top copper producer Codelco said in a statement the measure would bring the total reduction in staff at its Teniente operations to 4 500 people. The mine will continue to operate with a previously announced shift schedule of 14 days on and 14 days off to protect workers, the company said.
"This (measure) began to be implemented last weekend," Codelco said, adding the move was aimed at "reducing the density of both our own and contract staff, scaling back movement and reducing the possibility of infection."