The Antofagasta Court of Appeals annulled Mayoral Decree No. 923 of May 2024, with which the Municipality of Calama sought to strengthen heritage protection of the old Chuquicamata mining town and guarantee permanent public access. The court upheld state miner Codelco's claim of illegality and ruled that the municipality exceeded its powers by imposing obligations on buildings that mainly belong to the company, Reporte Minero reported. Mayor Eliecer Chamorro announced he will take the case to the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court.
For travellers, the practical question is different: can you visit Chuquicamata? The short answer is yes, but only on the tours organised by Codelco. The ruling does not change that, and it does not remove the town's national protection either.
What the court decided about the Chuquicamata mining town
View the data as a table
| Year the town was founded | 1,915 |
| Year of closure | 2,007 |
| Typical Zone since | 2,015 |
| Area lost, according to the mayor | ~50% |
| Point | What it says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Annulled decree | Calama Mayoral Decree No. 923 (May 2024) | Reporte Minero |
| Court | Antofagasta Court of Appeals, on Codelco's claim of illegality | Reporte Minero |
| Reason | The municipality exceeded its powers over Codelco's buildings, especially visitor access | Reporte Minero |
| What comes next | The mayor will appeal to the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court | Reporte Minero |
| Protection in force | Typical Zone and Historic Monuments since 2015 (Education Decree No. 176) | Reporte Minero |
The municipality also complains that the mine's waste dumps are advancing over the old town: according to the mayor, it has lost about half of its original area. "We depend on the goodwill of Codelco's executives. That is what we want to change," he told Reporte Minero.
The history of the Chuquicamata mining town
Chuquicamata operated as a mining town from 1915 and for more than nine decades was home to copper workers and their families. It officially closed on 31 August 2007, when its residents were moved to Calama because of the mine's expansion and environmental conditions (Reporte Minero).
The mine, 15 kilometres north of Calama at 2,870 metres above sea level, is an open pit about 5 kilometres long, 3 wide and 1 deep, according to Wikipedia. Since 2015 the town has been a Typical Zone, and buildings such as the Civic Centre, Casa 2000, buildings of the American Camp and the Cemetery are Historic Monuments.
- 1915The mining town begins operating
- 2007Official closure of the town (31 August)
- 2015Typical Zone and Historic Monuments
- May 2024Calama issues Decree No. 923
- January 2025Codelco resumes free guided tours
- November 2026Court annuls the decree; Calama will appeal to the Supreme Court
How to visit Chuquicamata today
In January 2025 Codelco resumed a programme of free guided tours that includes the historic centre of the town and viewpoints over the mining operation, initially scheduled on Mondays and Thursdays, according to Redimin. The same outlet notes that there is no up-to-date public information on times or places, nor whether that schedule has been kept (Redimin).
- Book before you arrive: access depends on Codelco; ask the company directly or Calama's tourist office.
- Mind the altitude and sun: Calama is in the high desert; bring water, sunscreen and warm clothes for the evening.
- Combine it with the desert: Calama is the air gateway to San Pedro de Atacama; see things to do in San Pedro de Atacama.
- Calama also lives off business travel: we explained it in our article on business tourism in Chile.
What Codelco is doing in the Chuquicamata mining town
Codelco reports repairs to façades, roofs, doors and windows of historic buildings, and work on the "Pala Mundial" shovel and the cemetery, without giving amounts or timelines, according to Redimin. The underlying dispute, now in the courts, is who sets the rules for access and protection: the company that owns the buildings or the municipality that claims a say over its heritage.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit the Chuquicamata mining town?
Yes, on Codelco's free guided tours, which resumed in January 2025. There is no free access: entry depends on the company.
Is Chuquicamata still a Typical Zone?
Yes. The ruling annulled a municipal decree, not the national declarations of 2015 (Typical Zone and Historic Monuments).
When did the town of Chuquicamata close?
On 31 August 2007, when its residents moved to Calama.
