Deaths in the Chilean Mining Industry: An Analysis of Factors Associated with the Fatalities of the Accident

A primary focus throughout the value chain of the Chilean mining industry is safety, with the goal of zero fatalities. Although the accident rate in the Chilean mining sector is low compared to the national average, fatalities continue to occur every year. This study analyses 558 fatal accidents that occurred from 2000 to 2019 using data from the Chilean National Geology and Mining Service (SERNAGEOMIN). The data indicate that the most significant number of fatalities occur in the small-scale mining sector (49%), followed by the large-scale and medium-scale sectors at 40% and 11%, respectively. The data show that 41% of fatal accidents are due to blows, 19% to falls, 12% to being crushed or trapped, and 28% are due to other causes, the latter including landslides, explosions, being run over by a vehicle, electrocution, overturned, drowning (inundation), burns and exposure to toxic substances or fumes. The chi-square tests applied to determine whether there is a relationship between the size of the mining companies and the behaviour of fatalities over time show that there is a dependence between these variables. There is evidence of a decrease in fatal accidents in large-scale mining, which may be the product of the safety policies applied by the sector. This study can help the mining sector in the analysis and establishment of internal policies and procedures aimed at eliminating the existing risk factors in the search for the elimination of fatalities in mining.