Tranque Las Tórtolas, Mining tailings reservoir in Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile.

Tranque Las Tórtolas is a mining tailings reservoir in the Santiago Metropolitan Region. The facility uses multiple dams to store and manage large volumes of processing waste from copper extraction operations.

The reservoir began operations in 1992 as part of copper mining activities in the region. Since then it has served as a storage facility for processing waste from ongoing extraction operations.

The name Las Tórtolas comes from the hill of the same name, 1162 m high, that rises above the basin. The site lies in Colina commune, Chacabuco province, 40 km north of Santiago, in a nearly circular intramontane valley. The crushed ore arrives as pulp through about 56 km of pipes, channels and shafts from Los Bronces, and only around 1% of the 2400 tonnes per hour is recovered as useful material.

The site is located in hilly terrain with limited public access due to its function as an industrial facility. Visitors should inquire in advance and follow appropriate safety guidelines for the area.

The facility encompasses a large forest plantation that manages water through evaporation while reshaping the landscape in the region. This system demonstrates an approach to using industrial space for additional environmental functions.