Huge sinkhole rips open the ground as authorities investigate what lies beneath

Bewildered officials have begun investigating the appearance of a massive 200-meter-deep sinkhole that has opened up near a copper mine in northern Chile over the weekend

Huge sinkhole in northern Chile under investigation by authorities

Surprised authorities have started investigating a huge sinkhole that has mysteriously appeared near a copper mine.

Geology specialists in northern Chile began inspections after the large hole, believed to be about 25 meters (82 feet) in diameter, opened up near the Canadian Lundin Mining site in Alcaparrosa over the weekend. end.

The sinkhole, approximately 200 meters (656 feet) deep, is located approximately 665 kilometers (413 miles) north of the national capital, Santiago.

The National Geology and Mining Service became aware of the sinkhole on Saturday and has since dispatched specialist personnel to the area, according to agency director David Montenegro.

He said in a statement: "There is a considerable distance, about 200 meters, to the bottom.

The 25-meter hole opened up near the Canadian Lundin Mining copper mine in Alcaparrosa over the weekend

"We didn't detect any material there, but we did see a lot of water."

A number of areas surrounding the hole have now been closed off, including a section extending from the entrance to the Alcaparrosa mine workings.

A spokesperson for Lundin Mining said Monday (August 1) that the incident did not affect workers or any members of the local community.