SANTIAGO (Reuters) -Copper miner Codelco 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, said two sources with knowledge of the matter.

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