Codelco Halts Andina Mine Operations After Tailings Spill in Chile

Key Facts

Codelco suspended operations at its Andina mine concentrator following a tailings spill that threatens a local river. According to mining.com, the company detected an obstruction in its tailings transport system near the Rápido RV4 sector, leading to the immediate shutdown of the processing plant and the suspension of waste transport to contain the impact.

Chilean water utility Esval activated backup underground sources after closing surface water intakes from the Aconcagua River as a precaution following the incident on November 5, 2026. The disruption occurred as Codelco disclosed a reporting discrepancy involving 17,000 tonnes of copper inventory, valued at between $120 million and $140 million.