Barrick evacuates Chile workers by helicopter after storm

Barrick Mining Corp. said it safely evacuated workers who had been stranded in their Barriales camp in northern Chile after severe storms blocked road access.

The workers are in “good health,” the miner said in a statement posted online. Rescue efforts began Friday and resumed earlier Saturday after weather conditions allowed for helicopter flights, according to the statement.

Economy and Mining Minister Daniel Mas confirmed the safe evacuation of the miners on X. Barrick said it left a helicopter available to authorities until July 29 to support rescue and logistics operations.

Meanwhile, three workers at the Potrerillos camp will remain there until roads can be cleared, Barrick said. The workers at Potrerillos have access to electricity, water and food and are safe and in good health, the company said.

The company on Thursday said workers at the high-altitude camps could not be rescued earlier due to weather conditions, while roads remained blocked. The major storms killed more than a dozen people and caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage.

(By Jose Orozco)