220th anniversary of the birth of Ignacy Domeyko – the patron of the Sierra Gorda Copper Mine in Chile

The Sierra Gorda open-pit copper and molybdenum mine in Chile is a large mining project with a long-term operational perspective, commissioned in June 2014 by KGHM. This year is the 220th anniversary of the birth of the great geologist, Ignacy Domeyko – the patron of Sierra Gorda who revolutionised mining in Chile.

The Sierra Gorda mine is located in Chile – in the Atacama Desert in the Antofagasta region, approximately 60 km south-west of the city of Calama in the north of Chile, at an altitude of approximately 1700 m. The Catabela area is currently being exploited with a target mining depth of approximately 1000 m. The mineralisation of Sierra Gorda was discovered in 2006, and since September 2011, the project was a joint venture controlled by KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. (55%), Sumitomo Metal Mining (31.5%) and Sumitomo Corporation (13.5%).

Miners in Sierra Gorda have their special patron who made Chile one of the most recognisable mining city in the world. Domeyko was responsible for giving lectures on chemistry, physics, mineralogy, and metallurgy at the mining school in Coquimbo. He also performed chemical analyzes of samples collected by himself and sent by the owners of the mines. In recognition of his knowledge and character, he was soon appointed a mining judge. He also created a university collection of minerals with over 4,000 specimens. Over the years, the most important field of Domeyko’s activity has become work on the organization of science in Chile, he created a modern university and he was its rector for 16 years continuously.

“Ignacy Domeyko revolutionized mining and was a true visionary. KGHM has always been associated with the best of the best. It is through the pioneers of the mining industry, copper discoverers, scientists and experts that we can develop and plan investments for the coming years. We are doing it as a world leader in this industry”,  President of the Management Board of KGHM Polska Miedź SA, Marcin Chludziński said.

According to the official Twitter account of KGHM, Domeyko’s family has visited Poland recently:

 For us, 2022 is, among others, 220th anniversary of the birth of Ignacy Domeyko. The scientist is the patron of the #KGHM ⚒️ mine – Sierra Gorda

On this occasion, the family of the outstanding geologist flew from Chile to Poland and visited the Copper Basin last weekend.