Support for Tarapacá Region Historical Heritage

Collahuasi believes that a better tomorrow can only be built on the foundations of the history, identity and traditions of the communities of the Tarapacá Region’s and is, therefore, committed to its heritage.

Its initiatives in this field include its support for the rebuilding of the San Antonio de Matilla and San Lorenzo de Tarapacá churches as well as the repair and improvement of the Padre Alberto Hurtado School in Pica, all of which were severely damaged in the June 2005 earthquake.

Other initiatives developed by the company include:

Restoration of the Tarapacá Campaign historical route. In 2009, Collahuasi signed an agreement with the Corporación de Difusión del Patrimonio Histórico Militar de Chile for the restoration of this route and its historical sites where the War of the Pacific was fought.

Restoration of the Pica church.  In September 2009, Collahuasi signed an agreement with the Diocese of Iquique and the Jofré Foundation under which it undertook to contribute funding to the restoration of the San Andrés de Pica church, which is considered part of the heritage of the Tarapacá Region.

Restoration of the Huatacondo church. In response to a request presented through its working group with Huatacondo, Collahuasi decided to include this church in its heritage restoration programme. In November 2009, an agreement was signed, bringing together the Huatacondo community, the Bishopric of Iquique, the municipal government of Pozo Almonte and the Jofré Foundation under which Collahuasi undertook to make a significant financial contribution through Chile’s Cultural Donations Law.

Construction of the Corbeta Esmeralda Museum in Iquique. In October 2009, Collahuasi signed an agreement with the Chilean Navy, the Corporación del Patrimonio Marítimo and the Iquique municipal government for the construction of the Corbeta Esmeralda Museum, a project proposed by Collahuasi’s workers to mark the Bicentenary of Chile’s Independence. The museum will be a close replica of the historic Esmeralda ship, respecting its dimensions and most of its original details. Located on Paseo Lynch, it will be completed in May 2011.