Tranque El Mauro, Mining tailings dam in Atacama Region, Chile
Tranque El Mauro is a tailings storage facility that holds mining waste from copper extraction at the Los Pelambres mine, situated in a wide valley between surrounding mountains. Materials arrive through a pipeline from the processing plant in Piuquenes and spread across the basin over time.
The facility opened in 2007, replacing the older Quillayes tailings site and marking a major expansion of mining activity in the region. This shift allowed for increased copper production with improved storage capacity.
Nearby villages keep close watch on how the facility manages mining waste and its effects on local water resources. Conversations between residents and mining operators about protecting water sources shape daily relations in the area.
The basin is visible from a distance across the valley landscape and can be viewed from several vantage points in the surrounding area. The best views come from higher roads and mountain paths that cross the valley.
Starting in 2024, a desalination plant in Punta Chungo supplies industrial water to the facility, reducing reliance on local water sources. This technology ensures more consistent operations regardless of drought conditions.
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