Chilean 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.

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.

The state-run copper miner is looking to resume mining in areas of the El Teniente complex unaffected by a collapse that killed six people.

A major collapse at a key new section of Codelco’s biggest mine is raising questions about the Chilean behemoth’s ability to meet production goals at a time of growing demand for the metal.

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.

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.