UPDATE (August 4,2024,10:00 AM CLT): The bodies of five miners have been recovered following a collapse at the Los Aromos mine in the Coya region of Chile’s O’Higgins region on Thursday,August 1st.Rescue efforts were hampered by unstable ground conditions. The victims were contracted employees of Salfa montajes performing electrical work.
The five men identified as victims are: Álex Araya Achevedo, Moisés Pavez Armijo, Gonzalo Núñez Caroca, Carlos Arancibia Valenzuela, and an additional worker whose name has not yet been officially released by authorities.
Álex Araya Achevedo
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Álex Araya Achevedo, 29, was the youngest of the group.Born in Rancagua in 1995, he was currently pursuing his high school diploma through a “2 x 1” flexible learning program at Monte Castello College, aiming to complete his studies in the middle cycle.
Moisés Pavez Armijo
Moisés esteban Pavez Armijo, 33, was born in Coinco, O’Higgins region, in 1991. He was raised in Doñihue and graduated from Claudio Arrau Liceo in 2009.
gonzalo Núñez Caroca
Gonzalo Núñez Caroca,born in Graneros in 1991,completed his secondary education at the Santa Teresita de los andes Institute in 2009. He later resided in San Francisco de Mostazal, where his mother is employed.
Carlos Arancibia Valenzuela
Carlos Arancibia Valenzuela,the oldest of the victims,was born outside the O’Higgins region. His body was recovered early Sunday morning.Details regarding his place of birth have not been released.
Background: Los Aromos Mine & Salfa Montajes
The Los Aromos mine, located near Coya, is a copper and molybdenum extraction site. Salfa Montajes is a prominent Chilean construction and maintenance company specializing in mining projects, providing services such as electrical installation, mechanical assembly, and structural steelwork. The company has been involved in numerous large-scale mining operations throughout chile.
This incident adds to growing concerns regarding mine safety in Chile, prompting calls for stricter regulations and oversight of mining operations, particularly those involving contracted workers.The Superintendency of Mining Safety and Health (SUSESO) has launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse.
