Minera Dominga, Iron and copper mining project with port in La Higuera, Chile
Minera Dominga is a mining complex near La Higuera with two open pits extracting iron and copper, supported by a processing plant and a 26-kilometer underground transport route. A desalination facility converts seawater for mining use while also supplying water to nearby communities.
Environmental regulators rejected the project in 2017, triggering ministerial resignations before a tribunal's intervention led to approval in 2021. This court decision resolved the initial opposition from authorities.
The project creates tension between local residents hoping for employment and environmental advocates concerned about the region's future.
This active mining operation sits in a coastal desert region where water management is critical to daily operations. Access to the site is restricted as it remains an industrial facility under development.
The shipping route maintains a 20-kilometer distance from the Humboldt Penguin Reserve to protect local wildlife. This deliberate design choice reflects how the project balances industrial operations with marine conservation.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
