Canadian mining company Lundin Mining has reported a fatality at its Neves-Corvo mine in Portugal. 

An employee, while operating a piece of equipment underground, was involved in a fall that resulted in a fatal accident.

The company has notified the authorities in Portugal and is cooperating with their investigation. Operations at the Neves-Corvo mine in the Alentejo district of southern Portugal have been temporarily suspended.  

Lundin Mining president and CEO Jack Lundin said: “We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident. Our sincere thoughts and support are with our colleague’s family and co-workers during this difficult time.”

This is not the first fatal accident reported at the mine site. Previously, Lundin Mining reported a fatal incident at the same facility on 25 September 2020. 

The incident occurred during underground mining activities, causing no harm to other staff members. All mining activities below the ground were also temporarily suspended at the time. 

The Neves-Corvo mine primarily produces copper and zinc concentrates, as well as lead. The mine is owned and operated by Somincor, a Portuguese subsidiary of Lundin Mining. Neves-Corvo was acquired by Lundin Mining when the company merged with EuroZinc Mining in 2006.

Lundin Mining reported consolidated copper production of 314,798 tonnes (t) in 2023, setting a new record for the company. Copper-equivalent consolidated production exceeded 550,000t. 

“Across our critical metals portfolio, the zinc expansion project at Neves Corvo, otherwise known as ZEP, is coming to fruition, leading to back-to-back quarterly record zinc production at this operation,” Lundin said on 14 January.