POWERFUL 6.9-MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE JOLTS NORTHERN CHILE; MINING OPERATIONS HALTED TEMPORARILY

A powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck the mining-rich Antofagasta region of northern Chile, triggering temporary power outages and halting operations at some of the world’s largest copper mines.

No casualties or major structural damages have been reported.

Epicenter in Atacama Desert

The seismic event occurred in the Atacama Desert. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) placed the epicenter roughly 20 to 31 kilometers northeast of Calama City.

The quake struck at an intermediate depth of 100 to 114 kilometers. This significant depth helped cushion the surface impact, preventing widespread destruction in nearby urban centers.

Chile’s National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (SENAPRED) quickly ruled out any tsunami threat along the Pacific coast.

Copper Mines Trigger Emergency Protocols

The Antofagasta region serves as the heart of Chile's copper industry. The major earthquake immediately triggered safety protocols across several massive mining complexes:

Codelco: The state-owned mining giant partially suspended operations at select sites. Localized power outages and massive dust clouds in open-pit mines temporarily blinded heavy equipment operators.

BHP & Antofagasta PLC: Both multinational firms reported zero structural impact. Their facilities resumed normal operations shortly after safety inspections.

Local Infrastructure Impact

Calama City bore the brunt of the infrastructure disruptions. The municipality experienced:

Grid Failures: Widespread electricity blackouts hit residential and industrial sectors.

Utility Cuts: Water supply systems automatically shut down to prevent pipeline ruptures.

Landslides: Minor rockfalls blocked secondary roads near mining access routes.

Emergency crews are currently on-site restoring power grids and clearing debris.