Copper miner Codelco (COBRE.UL) has asked Chile's mining regulator for permission to reopen a part of its flagship El Teniente mine after a collapse last week that killed six people, two sources with knowledge of the matter said.

C hilean mining company Codelco has requested that Chile's mining regulator, Sernageomin, allow the reopening of a portion of its El Teniente mine, reported Reuters, citing two sources familiar with the matter. This follows an earthquake-induced collapse that resulted in the death of six workers last week.

Codelco has requested Chile's mining regulator to reopen a section of El Teniente mine after a collapse last week killed six. Operations were initially suspended, but maintenance continues to preserve equipment.

The total death toll stood at six, including one person who died at the time of the accident on Thursday evening, 70 hours before the final trapped worker was found.

The state-owned company has expressed its condolences and is initiating an international investigation into the incident.

Codelco filed a request to restart parts of its biggest copper mine in Chile after a deadly accident halted work last week, according to people briefed on the matter.

By Daina Beth Solomon SANTIAGO (Reuters) -Chilean copper miner Codelco said on Saturday it has cleared just over a fifth of the blocked underground tunnels needed to reach trapped workers at its flagship El Teniente mine,