Chimeneas de Labrar, Copper smelting chimneys in Freirina, Chile.
Chimeneas de Labrar consists of three preserved brick chimneys with square bases and metal reinforcement frames rising about 18 meters above the desert landscape. Slag fields and remains of the former mining settlement surround the structures.
The smelting facility was founded in 1830 and processed copper ore until 1895. During those decades, it contributed significantly to copper production in this region.
These chimneys come from an era when local copper production made Chile one of the world's leading suppliers of the metal. Visitors can still see traces of this industrial past that shaped the region's identity.
The site is located south of Freirina in a dry area and is easy to reach during daytime hours. Visitors should bring water and sun protection, as there is little shade on-site.
The facility sourced fuel from different origins, including wood and coal imported from Australia, arriving via a nearby port. These supply routes show how connected the local industry was to global trade networks.
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