Plizio Visual Lab

Marcona Mine

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Industrial site

Weather…

The Marcona Mine, located in the Ica region, is Peru's only significant iron ore producer. Situated in the Marcona district, it is operated by Shougang Hierro Perú, a subsidiary of the Chinese Shougang Group. The mine has a long history dating back to the 1950s and was privatized in 1992. Ores are extracted through open-pit mining and transported via a conveyor belt system to the port of San Nicolás, where they are processed for export to China and other world markets. In recent years, massive investments have been made to modernize the facilities and expand production capacity to meet the rising demand for steel raw materials. Marcona is not only industrially prominent but also serves as a vital source of tax revenue and employment along the central Peruvian coast.

Location: Peru
Nearby: Ica (77 km)

Best time to visit & climate

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

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	22	22	22	21	19	17	17	17	18	18	19	20
Rain mm	16	15	12	4	6	3	5	3	4	5	8	14

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

Marcona Mine in the Ica region is Peru's only major iron ore mine, of strategic importance for the national steel industry. Located near the coast, it supplies both the domestic market and exports.

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Visiting

The mine is not normally open to the public, but the vast open pits and processing plants are clearly visible from the coastal road. Visitors can catch a glimpse from nearby hills.

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Where to view it

A good viewpoint is the Panamericana Sur near Marcona, from which the pits and dumps are visible. The lighthouse of San Juan de Marcona also has an elevated perspective.

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Local products

Iron ore pellets and concentrate are the main products. In the surrounding Ica region, wineries and pisco production, as well as the textile industry, are significant.

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Active season

The mine operates year-round with continuous extraction, driven by steel industry demand. During the summer months (December-March), the coastal region is busier with tourism.

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Nearby

Combine a visit with the city of Ica, known for its Huacachina oasis and pisco wineries. The Ballestas Islands with their abundant wildlife are also not far.