Open pit copper mine.
About 70 percent of the total copper occurs as atacamite in cracks, formed from oxidation of hypogene porphyry copper chalcocite.
This deposit was already discovered in the 1950s, but mining operations started only in 1995, after the technology necessary to exploit it profitably was available. The mine is owned by Chilean Copper Corporation (Codelco).
References:
- Economic Geology 96, 401-420 (2001).
- Cameron, E.M., Leybourne, M.I., and Palacios, C. (2007): Atacamite in the oxide zone of copper deposits in northern Chile: involvement of deep formation waters? Mineralium Deposita 42, 205-218.
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Map Reference: 22°13'42"S , 68°53'4"W
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Mineral List:5 entries listed. 4 valid minerals.
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