Three miners die in Peru, adding to recent safety incidents in Latam (updated)

Sierra Metals

12/09/2022 16:57

(Adds details, background)
    By Marcelo Rochabrun
    LIMA, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Three miners died at a small
underground mine owned by Sierra Metals Inc  SMT.TO  in Peru
following a mudslide, the company said in a securities filing on
Monday, adding to a growing list of recent deadly incidents in
Latin America. 
    Sierra Metals said the three victims were contractors and
that another worker had been injured. It did not identify the
contracting company or the tasks the workers were carrying out
when the mudslide took place. 
    A representative for Peru's energy and mines ministry had no
immediate comment. Peru is the world's No. 2 copper producer and
mining is a major industry for the country. 
    The deaths add renewed attention to mining safety protocols
in Latin America. Since July, 10 coal miners were trapped in
Mexico and never found, while two others died at two Chilean
mines owned by state-owned Codelco, the world's top copper
producer.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL6N2ZT0CE  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL1N30D01H
    Chilean workers at BHP's  BHP.AX  massive Escondida mine
narrowly averted a strike over safety concerns last
week. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL1N30E26G
    Following the deadly incidents, Chilean President Gabriel
Boric said the country needs to improve its safety standards,
while Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has said
those responsible should be punished. 
    The incident in Peru happened at the Yauricocha polymetalic
mine in the Lima region, where the country's capital is also
located. 

 (Reporting by Marcelo Rochabrun; Additional reporting by Fabian
Cambero and Daina Beth Solomon; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
 ((marcelo.rochabrun@thomsonreuters.com; +55 11 5644 7768;))