Copper and the tragedy memorial of 1965 El Soldado. Mine, Nogales commune,Valparaíso region

Abstract

This manuscript summarizes the preparatory research for the proposed thesis project, which centers on the design of an in situ Memorial commemorating the disaster caused by the collapse of the Los Nogales tailings dam at the El Cobre mine, located in Chile’s central zone, in the foothills of the Andes within the Valparaíso Region. This disaster occurred in 1965, following the overflow of the tailings deposit triggered by a 7.4 magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale. The resulting avalanche buried the workers’ camp, where mining families resided. The event not only marked a significant turning point in Chilean mining history but also left a lasting memory among the descendants of those affected.

The study delves into both the geomorphological characteristics of the proposed site and the everyday life of Chilean mining camps, known for their rich community dynamics in education, sports, and local festivals. These elements are essential to the architectural project, which seeks to incorporate them into its design.

In this proposal, memory is conceived as a constructible object, materialized through a spatial experience that begins at the main entrance—adjacent to the remaining vestige of the local church. The memorial is composed of two elongated pavilions: the first, an informational pavilion, reveals fragments of mining history and remembrance through a series of walls and intervals; the second, the water pavilion, houses services such as washing stations and restrooms, supporting the maintenance of animitas (folk memorials). Flowing water throughout this space offers a sensory experience of freshness and serenity, reinforcing the contemplative character of the site.