BHP suspended all operations at Chile's Escondida copper mine on Wednesday. An employee died during maintenance activities involving a front-end loader. Escondida is the world's largest copper mine.
Chilean mining regulator Sernageomin is investigating the site to verify safety. Operations will remain suspended until the agency completes its inquiry.
The shutdown creates further market uncertainty for the mining giant. Unionized supervisors at the site are currently considering a strike over contract negotiations.