Chuquicamata
The village, at an altitude of 2,850 meters, lies 16 km from Calama and 78 km from the Pan-American Highway. It is home to the mine-workers and the atmosphere is that of a mining camp. You will find markets where you can buy diverse goods and souvenirs of the area, made of copper.
Chuquicamata means land of the chucos indians, who were the original inhabitants of the area surrounding the Chuquicamata copper deposit.
In Chuquicamata you can visit:
The old hospital
This old building has been replaced by a modern hospital in Calama.
Mining complex
The Chuquicamata mine is composed of two open-cast mines: Mina Sur and Mina Chuqui. You are recommended to visit the place in summer. There is only one guided tour per day, demand is high and places are limited.
Mina Chuquicamata
Extraction operations date back to before the Inca conquest.
It was not until 1882 that the first industrial operation was set up. In total Chuquicamata Division produces around 600,000 tons of copper, as well as other by-products such as molybdenum and metal doré. It is composed of two open cast mines: Mina Sur and Mina Chuqui.
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