Article Author:
Reuters
The Chilean sinkhole doubled in size, becoming large enough to swallow the French Arc de Triomphe, prompting authorities to order work to stop at a nearby copper mine.
The sinkhole, which appeared on 30 July, now stretches 50 meters (160 ft) wide and reaches 200 meters (656 ft) deep. Seattle's Space Needle also fits comfortably in a black pit, like six Christ the Redeemer statues from Brazil, head-to-head and outstretched giant arms. He later said he was still investigating a large hole near the Alcaparrosa mine, operated by Canadian company Lundin Mining, about 665 km (413 miles) north of Santiago.
In addition to ordering all work to stop, the Geological and Mining Service said it was beginning a "sanctions process." The agency did not provide details on what the action entailed.
Lundin did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company said last week that the hole had not affected any workers or community members and was working to identify the cause. It is owned by Japan's Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. and Sumitomo Corporation.
Originally, the hole near the town of Tierra Amarilla was about 25 meters (82 feet) in diameter, with water visible at the bottom.
The Geology and Mining Department said it has water extraction pumps installed at the mine and will examine the mine basement for possible overextraction in the next few days.
Local authorities have expressed concern that the Alcaparossa mine has flooded underground, destabilizing the surrounding land. The mayor of Tierra Amarilla, Cristóbal Zuniga, told local media that it would be "completely unusual".
(reporting by Marion Giraldo, writing by Daina Beth Solomon, editing by Lisa Shumaker)
