DEHUROEN

Plizio Visual Lab

Chuquicamata Mine

Plizio editorial teamData Sources
Industrial site
—°2
Chuquicamata Mine (Chile)

Weather…

Chuquicamata, often referred to as 'Chuqui', is one of the world's most spectacular and historically significant mines, located near Calama in the Atacama Desert. For decades, it held the title of the world's largest open-pit copper mine by volume, fundamentally shaping the Chilean economy for over a century. As the open pit reached depths exceeding 1,000 meters, making further surface extraction inefficient, a historic transition to massive underground mining operations was completed in recent years. Operated by the state-owned giant CODELCO, the mine is a symbol of Chile's leadership in mining technology and engineering. The site's history is also deeply intertwined with social development, evident in the preserved mining town of Chuquicamata, now a national monument. Despite the change in extraction methods, Chuquicamata remains a powerhouse of global copper production and a testament to human ingenuity in extreme environments.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C171616141110101113141616
Rain mm896120110014

📋 Practical info

🏭
What is this place?
The Chuquicamata Mine is one of the world's largest open-pit copper mines, operated by Codelco. It plays a central role in Chile's copper industry and global copper supply.
🚪
Visiting
The mine is gradually transitioning to underground operations, but the open pit is still visible. There is a visitor center with an observation platform open to the public. Advance booking is recommended.
👀
Where to view it
The observation platform at the visitor center provides a spectacular view of the huge open-pit crater. From the nearby Panamericana Norte highway, you can also see the waste dumps and surrounding desert landscape.
🧺
Local products
Copper is the main product, exported as cathodes or concentrate. In the nearby city of Calama, copper-based handicrafts and traditional Atacama Desert products like salts are sold.
📆
Active season
The mine operates year-round with constant production. The visitor centers are best visited during the dry season from October to April when road conditions are optimal.
➕
Nearby
Combine the visit with a trip to the city of Calama and the nearby Valley of the Moon. The El Tatio geysers are also within a day trip.

Geography

Coordinates
-22.30250, -68.92920

Facts

  • Formerly the world's largest open-pit copper mine.
  • In continuous operation for over 100 years.
  • Owned and operated by the state company CODELCO.
  • Transitioned to underground mining in 2019.
  • The open pit reached a depth of over 1,000 meters.
  • A key economic driver for the Antofagasta Region.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

ChuquicamataChuquicamata3 km · NExplore →
Radomiro Tomic MineRadomiro Tomic Mine5 km · NEExplore →
Pukará de LasanaPukará de Lasana33 km · NExplore →
Spence MineSpence Mine43 km · SWExplore →
Collahuasi MineCollahuasi Mine60 km · NEExplore →
Atacama DesertAtacama Desert73 km · SWExplore →
Valle de la LunaValle de la Luna77 km · NExplore →
Chacabuco Saltpeter WorksChacabuco Saltpeter Works79 km · SWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Chuquicamata Mine (2)

Cerro Negro🌿 nature

A dark-hued mountain peak offering sweeping views over the extensive mining infrastructure below.

Lourdes Shrine📍 landmark

A Catholic shrine dedicated to Lourdes, providing a spiritual sanctuary near the vast mining operations.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is Chuquicamata?
It is the world's largest open-pit copper mine (by volume).
Can you visit the mine?
Yes, Codelco provides free tours, but prior registration in Calama is required.
How deep is the pit?
The mine is over 850 meters deep.
Is there still a town there?
The old mining town was evacuated and can be visited as a ghost town.
What is the weather like on-site?
Extremely dry and sunny; hot during the day and often very cold at night.
Chuquicamata Mine: where is it located?
Chuquicamata Mine is located in Chile.
Chuquicamata Mine: what is there to see?
Highlights include Cerro Negro, Lourdes Shrine.
Chuquicamata Mine: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.
Chuquicamata Mine: why is it worth visiting?
Chuquicamata, often referred to as 'Chuqui', is one of the world's most spectacular and historically significant mines, located near Calama in the Atacama Desert.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
South America
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in South America
More places in Chile →

Nearby cities

Antofagasta — Chuquicamata Mine (Chile)
Antofagasta
A port city in northern Chile heavily influenced by mining.

History & landmarks

Valle de la Luna — Chuquicamata Mine (Chile)
Valle de la Luna
A moon-like desert landscape with bizarre rock and sand formations near San Pedro de Atacama.
El Tatio Geysers — Chuquicamata Mine (Chile)
El Tatio Geysers
The third-highest geyser field in the world, located in the Andes at over 4,000 meters altitude.
La Portada — Chuquicamata Mine (Chile)
La Portada
An impressive natural stone arch on the coast near Antofagasta.

Nature

Atacama Desert — Chuquicamata Mine (Chile)
Atacama Desert
The driest desert in the world with fascinating salt lakes, geysers, and clear starry skies.

More places

Radomiro Tomic Mine — Chuquicamata Mine (Chile)
Radomiro Tomic Mine
A significant open-pit copper mine located close to Chuquicamata.
Pukará de Lasana — Chuquicamata Mine (Chile)
Pukará de Lasana
A pre-Hispanic stone fortress in the Atacama Desert strategically built on a hill to control the valley.
🗺️
Spence Mine
A significant open-pit copper mine operated by BHP in the Antofagasta Region.
Chacabuco Saltpeter Works — Chuquicamata Mine (Chile)
Chacabuco Saltpeter Works
One of the largest former saltpeter works in Chile, which was later used as a prison camp in the 1970s.
Escondida Mine — Chuquicamata Mine (Chile)
Escondida Mine
The highest-producing copper mine in the world, located in the Atacama Desert.
Aldea de Tulor — Chuquicamata Mine (Chile)
Aldea de Tulor
One of the oldest archaeological sites in northern Chile, consisting of circular adobe houses buried in the sand.
Pukará de Quitor — Chuquicamata Mine (Chile)
Pukará de Quitor
A pre-Columbian stone fortress in northern Chile built by the Atacameño people to protect their oasis.
Salar de Atacama Lithium Plant — Chuquicamata Mine (Chile)
Salar de Atacama Lithium Plant
A massive lithium extraction facility operating in the Atacama salt flat.