Chile has a long tradition in mining, which developed during the 20th century and made the country the world's top producer of copper.

[3] The Compañía Minera San Esteban Primera (CMSE) is notorious in the mineral-rich region and, according to an official with the Chilean Safety Association, eight workers have died inside the company's mines in the 12 years to 2010.

[4] The San Jose Mine was shut down in 2007 when relatives of a miner who had died in an accident sued company executives, but was reopened in 2008[4][7] despite failing to comply with all regulations.

If they would have believed the workers, we would not be lamenting this now," said Gerardo Núñez, head of the union at a nearby Candelaria Norte mine.

It was reopened in May 2008 by SERNAGEOMIN – Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (National Geology and Mining Service).

[12] Compañía Minera San Esteban advised national authorities on 5 August 2010 that a collapse had occurred at 14:00 local time, and rescue efforts began the next day.

[14] President of Chile Sebastián Piñera said on October 12 that "the mine will remain closed until security measures that guard the life and dignity of the workers are established.