Introduction:

The present article presents the results of a literature review on the health of mine workers on the Chilean copper market.

Objective:

To depict the evidence produced regarding the diseases that affect the health of Chilean mine workers.

Method:

A scoping review, indexed on scientific journals and other sources, for the 20082019 period, centered on the analysis of 20 documents that reported empirical results.

Results:

The main physical conditions of copper mine workers were found to be problems related to high-altitude work, the inhalation of silica dust, and noise exposure; eating and musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular and respiratory disorders, accidents, and low back pain. Regarding mental health conditions, the following were highlighted: psychological demands, the impact on the sleep quality due to shift work, fatigue, anxiety, depression, violence on subcontractors, and worsening of life standards after relocation, due to silicosis.

Discussion:

Working in copper mine impacts the global health of workers, increasing the exposure to health conditions that increases the sense of suffering and worsens their quality of life.

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