Historic snowstorm traps miners in Catamarca, rescue underway

A historic snowstorm in the Argentine province of Catamarca has left multiple miners stranded in the high-altitude Puna region, with rescue operations ongoing under extreme conditions. Accumulations of up to two meters of snow and temperatures as low as -27°C have hampered efforts to reach the workers.

The situation

Several groups of miners are affected. One group, described as four or five employees of the Fénix lithium project operated by Río Tinto, is trapped inside a vehicle near the Salar del Hombre Muerto at an altitude of 4,500 meters Source: Clarín, Lavozar. Another group is sheltered at the Tres Quebradas camp in Fiambalá, where temperatures hit -27°C and vehicles are buried under snow Source: Infobae. The Paso Internacional San Francisco remains closed due to snow and winds exceeding 170 km/h Source: Lavozar.

Rescue efforts

Rescue teams are working from two fronts—from Antofagasta de la Sierra and from the salar—using bulldozers to clear roads Source: Clarín. A helicopter may be deployed if weather permits Source: Clarín. Workers were located via satellite phones (Starlink), but access remains impossible due to whiteout conditions and frozen diesel in machinery Source: Lavozar, Clarín. The union Aoma has called for an investigation into whether protocols were followed before the vehicles were allowed to circulate Source: Infobae.

Recovery outlook