Mining in the Atacama Region, Chile: Introduction

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Small-scale mining in the Atacama is deeply embedded in the culture of North Chile. Many companies have been working for centuries, but are heavily dependent on raw material prices.

Many of the small and micro-companies mine projects soon reached a considerable depth, as they were often historically known mines. The veins can contain from 80 to 200 g/tonne gold in their best ranges. The rock was lifted up to the surface by simple winches. In some cases, the gold content of the material was checked on site and later transported by small trucks to the next processing plant. Of course, these mines did not always comply with the applicable safety standards. Serious accidents often occurred. The economic situation of the Pirquineros (miners in small-scale mining) naturally also depended directly on raw material prices. In many mines, for example, mining was only carried out in phases. However, at depths of more than 200 m and sinking ore production was mostly stopped completely quickly.

Today, there are three types of mining operations in Atacama: The micro-enterprises which use simple aids to exploit corridor-shaped deposits. Two to eight miners often work in the deep, inadequately secured galleries.

Medium-sized mining companies employ considerably more people (around 200 or more per mine); the operations are often well equipped, with a not quite modern technology.
The large companies (1000 employees and more) work according to international safety standards with an absolutely modern technology.