Summary
What the comuna hasSource: OpenStreetMap
Liveability index · EIU style
63.7 /100AuthoritiesWho leads the comuna, its council, sessions and lobbying requests
Mayor · 2024-2028Source: DecideChile · SERVEL

Mayoral history · 7 terms
SERVEL · TRICEL (1992-2008) · DecideChile (2024) · Wikidata (pre-1992)
Concejo MunicipalSource: DecideChile · SERVEL
Concejo MunicipalSource: DecideChile · SERVEL
Sesiones
En una línea: El concejo aprobó dos actualizaciones del plan de inversiones y tres modificaciones presupuestarias 2026, incluyendo la desagregación de 2.262 millones de pesos provenientes del Royalty minero.
Temas tratados
- Plan de inversiones actualizado y 2ª modificación presupuestaria: Ajustes internos al plan de inversiones y reasignación de partidas, incluyendo el traspaso del programa de seguridad territorial desde licitación externa a ejecución municipal a partir de septiembre.
- Plan de inversiones actualizado y 3ª modificación presupuestaria: Desagregación de la primera y segunda cuota del Royalty (2.262 millones de pesos) en iniciativas de inversión para la comuna y para comunidades de Alto el Loa.
- Ley de planta municipal: Debate extenso sobre el proceso de elaboración de la nueva planta de personal, los límites legales de contratación y la implementación de la Ley de Seguridad Pública Municipal.
Acuerdos y votaciones
- Plan de inversiones actualizado (punto 1): Aprobado por el concejo (con ausencia de los concejales Jorge Anza, Alberto Ulloa y Alfredo Ulber —grafías inciertas—).
- 2ª modificación presupuestaria 2026: Aprobada por el concejo.
- Plan de inversiones actualizado (punto 2) y 3ª modificación presupuestaria 2026: Ambos aprobados por el concejo.
Plata y obras
- 2ª modificación presupuestaria: El presupuesto municipal pasa de aproximadamente 979 millones a 107.323 millones de pesos (cifras con posibles errores de transcripción). Se asignan 239 millones al programa de seguridad territorial (equipamiento), 30 millones a salud mental, ~8,7 millones a atención inicial de víctimas, 7 millones a Oficina de Paraguay (nombre incierto), y otros ajustes menores.
- 3ª modificación presupuestaria / Royalty (2.262 millones): Incluye, entre otros: camión cisterna para traslado de combustible a Alto el Loa (150 M$), suplemento diseño centro de atletismo en altura, complementos a proyectos Quiero Mi Barrio (Parque Hurtado de Mendoza y Plaza Claudia Araya), mejoramiento Ayllu del Inca, suplemento pavimentación (alza de combustible/asfalto), reposición iluminación por robo de cables (65 M$), sedes sociales Inclusión y Gustavo Lepeich, juegos infantiles, cierre perimetral Jardines del Norte (85 M$), recuperación espacio Hamilton con Alonso de Ercilla. Del 20% comunitario: recarga teléfonos satelitales Alto el Loa (4 M$), ampliación recolección de basura Alto el Loa (240 M$), tubo colector alcantarillado Quiña (50 M$), provisión centro adulto mayor Alto el Loa (70 M$).
- Subvenciones: El municipio se encuentra al 6,94% del límite normativo; se advierte que podría haber rebajas presupuestarias hacia fin de año.
Puntos de debate o controversia
- Proyecto Ruta Peregrina: El concejal Maldonado expresó molestia porque un proyecto emblemático que apoyó requiere reasignación de fondos por falta de ejecución; solicitó que se convoque a los responsables a comisión. La administración aclaró que el ajuste fue de 99.000 pesos sobre 150 millones, y que la iniciativa no fue despriorizada.
- Conciliaciones bancarias y ejecución de fondos Royalty: Maldonado solicitó comisión para revisar conciliaciones bancarias y ejecución de los años 2023-2024-2025, citando un informe negativo de Contraloría del año 2016. Control interno confirmó que las conciliaciones se llevan mensualmente y se está trabajando en subsanar observaciones.
- Ley de planta y carrera funcionaria: Debate sobre los límites legales: solo funcionarios de planta tienen carrera funcionaria; la ley exige que el 75% de los nuevos cargos sean profesionales o técnicos; el límite de gasto en personal es el 42% del presupuesto. Se aclaró que los ascensos se rigen exclusivamente por escalafón de mérito, sin injerencia política. Maldonado cuestionó la forma de elaboración de la propuesta, reclamando participación activa del concejo; el director jurídico (Arturo Bruna —grafía incierta—) precisó que la ley establece un comité bipartito (no tripartito) y que el concejo recibe la propuesta para aprobar o reducir, no para co-elaborarla.
- Grupos electrógenos en Quiña (Alto el Loa): Denuncia de vecinos por falta de mantención; la alcaldesa subrogante aclaró que hay personal contratado para operación y que la falla se debió a repuestos específicos ya solicitados en mayo.
Para seguir
- Comisión de conciliaciones bancarias y ejecución Royalty: Pendiente de convocar, con participación de SECPLAC y Finanzas.
- Comisión Ruta Peregrina: Maldonado solicitó que los responsables del proyecto expliquen el estado de ejecución.
- Ley de Seguridad Pública Municipal: Implementación prevista para agosto 2026; aún se espera reglamento de la subsecretaría.
- Ley de planta: La administración prevé presentar propuesta al concejo en una comisión previa, aproximadamente en agosto 2026.
- Honorarios municipales: Este sería el último año permitido para honorarios con funciones propias y permanentes, según dictamen de Contraloría; pendiente definir cómo regularizar esas situaciones.
Summary generated by AI (claude-sonnet-4-6) from the official broadcast transcript · may contain inaccuracies
Official council minutesSource: CPLT · Active Transparency inventory (Law 20.285)
Official council minutesSource: CPLT · Active Transparency inventory (Law 20.285)
Este municipio no publica actas del concejo en su Transparencia Activa (obligación de la Ley 20.285); sus sesiones pueden estar solo en video.
Comptroller auditsSource: CGR · Municipal Observatory
Comptroller auditsSource: CGR · Municipal Observatory
| Year | Findings | Altam. | Compl. | Median. | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 40 | — | 5 | 35 | — |
| 2021 | 50 | — | 27 | 23 | — |
| 2020 | 64 | — | 1 | 63 | — |
| 2019 | 43 | 18 | 18 | 7 | — |
| 2018 | 12 | 4 | 5 | 3 | — |
| 2017 | 59 | 15 | 24 | 16 | — |
CGR severity classification · audit findings on the municipality and its corporations
Who requests meetings with the municipalitySource: InfoLobby · CPLT (Law 20,730)
Who requests meetings with the municipalitySource: InfoLobby · CPLT (Law 20,730)
- AMAndes Mainstream SpALobby / interest management · 6 audiencias · 2018–2023
- EEEngie Energía Chile S.A.Lobby / interest management · 6 audiencias · 2018–2025
- CGCompañía General de Electricidad S.A.Lobby / interest management · 5 audiencias · 2018–2025
- WCWalmart Chile S.A.Lobby / interest management · 5 audiencias · 2017–2025
- MPMall Plaza CalamaLobby / interest management · 4 audiencias · 2017–2019Lobby / interest management · 1 audiencia · 2025
- AdAguas de Antofagasta S.A.Lobby / interest management · 4 audiencias · 2017–2019
- pdProductora de Eventos OlympusLobby / interest management · 4 audiencias · 2017–2022
- HyHidalgo y Narrias Ltda./Club 2Lobby / interest management · 4 audiencias · 2017
- EEEmpresa Eléctrica de Antofagasta S.A.Lobby / interest management · 3 audiencias · 2017–2018
- SSSosafe S.A.Lobby / interest management · 3 audiencias · 2019
- CCitizenlabLobby / interest management · 3 audiencias · 2021–2025
- PUPontificia Universidad Católica de ChileLobby / interest management · 3 audiencias · 2018–2025
- SStatkraftLobby / interest management · 3 audiencias · 2021
- CECikbus Elité/ Transportes IskraLobby / interest management · 3 audiencias · 2017–2021
- CPConsultorias Publicas Ltda.Lobby / interest management · 3 audiencias · 2025
- ENEmpresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones S.A.Lobby / interest management · 3 audiencias · 2019
- PMPredictable MediaLobby / interest management · 3 audiencias · 2017–2022
- GRGrenegri RenovableLobby / interest management · 2 audiencias · 2025
- OAOtec Agencia Internacional de Formación para la Excelencia Ltda.Lobby / interest management · 2 audiencias · 2018
Organisations that registered Lobby Law meetings with this municipality. Registering the meeting is mandatory for the official, so the list shows who asked to be heard, not whether they got anything.
PopulationWho lives here, how they study, their healthcare and more
Population and living conditionsSource: INE · CENSO · MINEDUC · ADIS
Population trend
How it has changedSource: Official INE series 2002–2026 (2017 base).
See the full trajectory to 2050 →INE projects comuna population only through 2035; the 2050 values are an own estimate by the monitor, anchored to the official INE 2050 national total (21,626,079 inhab, 32.1% aged 60+). Not an official comuna figure.
| Indicator | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Homes with public water supply (2017 Census) | 97,95 % | CENSO 2017 2017 |
| School disengagement (leaves the system) | 1,4 % | MINEDUC 2023 |
| School enrollment | 2.178 students | MINEDUC · aggregated by hexagons 2024 |
| Municipal enrollment | 34,8 % | MINEDUC · aggregated by hexagons 2024 |
| PAES reading comprehension (DEMRE) | 601,9 pts | DEMRE · MINEDUC datos abiertos 2026 |
| PAES mathematics M1 (DEMRE) | 622,2 pts | DEMRE · MINEDUC datos abiertos 2026 |
| poblacion_censo | 166.334 inh. | 2024 Census 2024 |
| Income poverty (CASEN 2022) | 8,1 % | CASEN 2022 · SAE Observatorio MDSF 2022 |
| Pobreza multidimensional (CASEN 2022) | 16,8 % | CASEN 2022 · SAE Observatorio MDSF 2022 |
| Indigenous peoples | 27,33 % | 2024 Census 2024 |
The PAES year is that of the admission process: the test is sat in November of the previous year. The average covers only those who registered to apply to university —not every secondary-school graduate— and groups them by the comuna of the school they graduated from, not by where the student lives. Here it rests on 2.225 students registered for the PAES.
Registro Social de Hogares
| Elderly (60+) | 23.827 | 16% |
| Children and adolescents (<18) | 37.060 | 25% |
| Foreign nationals | 30.371 | 20% |
| Belonging to indigenous peoples | 29.539 | 20% |
| People with moderate/severe dependency | 1.705 | 1% |
| Single-person households | 43.361 | 53% |
A monthly administrative snapshot of the Social Household Registry (self-registration to access benefits), as of abril 2026. The "bracket 40" is the socioeconomic rating of the most vulnerable 40%. It is a registry, not a survey: it complements CASEN (biennial) with fresh data, but well-off comunas under-register. Source: ADIS, Ministry of Social Development and Family.
School educationSource: MINEDUC Open Data 2025
Aggregate of all the comuna's schools (RBD → comuna). Pass/withdrawal and attendance are from the 2025 school year. SIMCE is not published as open data (managed by the Quality Agency, by request only); the available quality proxy is passing, dropout and attendance. The PAES result appears in the social section.
Municipal healthcare (primary care)Source: SINIM · MINSAL / FONASA
Specialties with services recorded at the comuna's public facilities (REM DEIS, 2024). These are services performed, not doctor headcount. Excludes the private network.
REM-26 section A (DEIS/MINSAL): comprehensive family visits, summed across the comuna's facilities. The last year is partial while DEIS consolidates monthly reports.
| Center | Type | Provider type | Enrollees | % brackets A-B |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consultorio Alemania de Calama | Family Health Center (CESFAM) | Municipal | 39.560 | 47% |
| Consultorio Central de Calama | Family Health Center (CESFAM) | Municipal | 33.991 | 45% |
| Centro de Salud Familiar Montt | Family Health Center (CESFAM) | Municipal | 29.833 | 41% |
| Centro de Salud Familiar Norponiente | Family Health Center (CESFAM) | Municipal | 16.855 | 45% |
| Centro Comunitario de Salud Familiar Sur | Community Family Health Center (CECOSF) | Municipal | 5.582 | 40% |
| Centro Comunitario de Salud Familiar Alemania | Community Family Health Center (CECOSF) | Municipal | 5.006 | 54% |
| Centro Comunitario de Salud Familiar Oasis | Community Family Health Center (CECOSF) | Municipal | 4.816 | 45% |
| Posta de Salud Rural Chiu-Chiu | Rural Health Post (PSR) | Municipal | 829 | 52% |
| Posta de Salud Rural Ayquina | Rural Health Post (PSR) | Municipal | 218 | 68% |
| Posta de Salud Rural Caspana | Rural Health Post (PSR) | Municipal | 143 | 63% |
FONASA brackets A-B ≈ lowest incomes (A: without resources). Source: FONASA, as of Dec 31, 2025, DEIS code.
Indigenous peoplesSource: 2024 Census (INE) · CONADI via IDE SMA
INDIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT AREA The comuna is part of the ADI ALTO EL LOA (art. 26, Indigenous Law 19.253).
| People | People | % of total |
|---|---|---|
| Atacameño o Lickanantay | 19.322 | 42.5% |
| Quechua | 10.423 | 22.9% |
| Diaguita | 5.931 | 13.0% |
| Aymara | 5.237 | 11.5% |
| Mapuche | 3.703 | 8.1% |
| Otro | 389 | 0.9% |
| Colla | 287 | 0.6% |
| Chango | 68 | 0.1% |
2024 Census: people who consider themselves as belonging to an indigenous people (small counts are suppressed for confidentiality at the source and not shown). Communities: CONADI national registry as of March 2024 — Araucanía and Los Lagos not refreshed in that update, the count is a floor. Land grants: 2022 registry.
Community organizationSource: RPJSFL Civil Registry (Law 20.500/19.418) · as of Jun 2026
All the comuna's active non-profit legal entities (Law 20.500 / 19.418), classified by organization name. It portrays the civil fabric: not just neighborhood councils, also committees, sports clubs, cultural and elderly groups, foundations and fire brigades.
29 Local media · 1 AM · 3 Comunitaria · 23 FM · 2 Digital pressSource: SUBTEL · broadcasting licences · Regional Media Survey (MSGG)
29 Local media · 1 AM · 3 Comunitaria · 23 FM · 2 Digital pressSource: SUBTEL · broadcasting licences · Regional Media Survey (MSGG)
| Local media | Type | dial |
|---|---|---|
| AACTIVA | FM | 98.5 FM |
| AARMONIA | FM | 99.1 FM |
| AAVENTURA | FM | 96.7 FM |
| AAZUCAR | FM | 90.3 FM |
| BBELLISSIMA | FM | 92.1 FM |
| CCARNAVAL | FM | 101.7 FM |
| DDESIERTO | FM | 106.5 FM |
| DDIAMANTE | FM | 94.7 FM |
| DFDIGITAL FM | FM | 89.5 FM |
| ESEL SONIDO DE LA VIDA | FM | 93.1 FM |
| FMFM MIX | FM | 100.3 FM |
| IIMPACTO | FM | 101.1 FM |
| IINTEGRAL | FM | 96.1 FM |
| JJUVENTUD | FM | 97.3 FM |
| MMISTRAL | FM | 97.9 FM |
| MSMUNDO STEREO | FM | 103.1 FM |
| NCNUEVA CARILLON | FM | 94.1 FM |
| PPOSITIVA | FM | 88.3 FM |
| PCPRINCIPAL CHUQUICAMATA | AM | 1240 AM |
| SSALAR | FM | 104.1 FM |
| SESENSACION EL ABRA | FM | 99.7 FM |
| ttiempodenoticias.cl | Digital press | — |
| TTOPATER | FM | 105.7 FM |
| wwww.calamaenlinea.cl | Digital press | — |
| CCCentro Cultural de Ayuda Social Adonai · holder | Comunitaria | 107.1 FM |
| CICnc Inversiones S.A. · holder | FM | 100.9 FM |
| FSFundacion Santa Celeste · holder | Comunitaria | 107.9 FM |
| ISInversiones San Jose Ltda. · holder | FM | 95.7 FM |
| OSOrganizacion Social, Cultural y Deportiva, Bronces Brillantes · holder | Comunitaria | 107.5 FM |
The dial (frequency) of every FM, AM and community radio with a studio in the comuna (SUBTEL, active sound broadcasting concessions). National networks appear in their headquarters' comuna, not necessarily where they broadcast. When SUBTEL records no brand name, its holder (the concession holder).
Foreign-born populationSource: 2024 Census · INE
International immigrants per the 2024 Census (people born outside Chile living in the comuna). Nationwide they are 1,608,650 people, 8.8% of the population.
Housing and housing deficitSource: MINVU (Encampment Registry + 2024 Census deficit + subsidies) · INE
Encampments: MINVU National Registry 2024 (irregular settlements and the families living in them). Quantitative deficit: homes missing per the 2024 Census (doubling-up + unrecoverable overcrowding). Permits: new homes authorized by the Works Directorate in 2024 (INE) — measures future construction, not stock. Subsidies: MINVU by application comuna — DS49 accrues beneficiaries by resolution year; DS01 and DS52 accrue payments by application cohort (national totals in the source file differ ~1–6% from the comuna sum; the comuna series is published).
What the homes are like
Housing type: 2017 Census · tenure: 2002 Census (INE).
Elderly careSource: Chile Cuida · National Assets / SENAMA
Elderly careSource: Chile Cuida · National Assets / SENAMA
Long-stay facilities for the elderly registered in Chile Cuida. Comunas without ELEAM send their elders to other comunas. With projected ageing (see Demographic projection), this capacity defines whether one can age in one's own comuna.
ResourcesBudget, spending, municipal procurement and more
Benefits under special regimesSource: Laws/SII/BCN/MTT/Treasury · deep-research verified
Fiscal or economic treatments that apply only to this comuna or its zone, not the rest of Chile. The chip color shows who it reaches: municipality, community, residents, companies or workers.
Fondos concursables voluntarios en la Región de Antofagasta: concurso "+Unidos 2026" hasta $230 M CLP (techo, no desembolso garantizado); $61 M al Fondo Mixto regional en 2015. RSE de alcance REGIONAL, no compromiso comunal vinculante. No existe el "1% de utilidades".
En 2024 el Fondo Puente (anticipo, ~50% de la distribución) repartió $22.891 millones a 43 comunas mineras de 6 regiones. Ingreso MUNICIPAL. Acá se listan las comunas nombradas oficialmente; la lista completa (43) está en Hacienda/TGR. (Cruza con SINIM royalty, var ya cargada en finanzas.)
Sobresueldo mensual a funcionarios públicos según aislamiento/costo de vida: 35% del sueldo base (art. 7 DL 249). A los funcionarios municipales llega vía art. 25 del DL 3.551/1980 y el monto se aumenta en 40% (Ley 19.354) — salud primaria municipal (Ley 19.378) la percibe sin ese aumento; asistentes de la educación y personal de corporaciones no la perciben (Código del Trabajo). El %/territorio usa la división de 1974: dentro de una comuna pueden regir % mayores en localidades específicas (retenes, islas, cordillera) no reflejados acá; la CGR resuelve caso a caso. Comunas sin asignación no aparecen.
Budget and revenue sourcesSource: SINIM · SUBDERE
Ingreso total y desglose de ingresos propios
Total revenue · trend (2001–2025)
Own revenue breakdown (IPP) · 2025
Special-law revenues · 2025
Distributed by law to specific comunas; they arrive via transfers.
Revenue by sector · 2025
Municipal Common Fund balance · 2025
Evolución por fuente de ingreso
Permanent own revenue (IPP) · trend
FCM received · trend
State transfers · trend
Municipal spending and budget executionSource: SINIM · SUBDERE
Municipal spending and budget executionSource: SINIM · SUBDERE
Accrued spending · trend
Distribution by management area · 2025
What the budget is spent on · 2025
| Spending line | Amount | % of spending | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transfers to health | $32.953.843.000 | 37.5% | |
| Municipal healthcare (primary care) · comuna health-sector spending | $32.215.502.000 | 36.7% | |
| Goods and services (operations) · supplies, contracts, maintenance | $18.390.200.000 | 21.0% | |
| Municipal personnel · municipal wages and fees | $9.663.033.000 | 11.0% | |
| Cleaning, garbage and landfills · waste collection and disposal | $8.029.855.000 | 9.1% | |
| Investment (works and projects) | $6.237.052.000 | 7.1% | |
| Electricity (facilities) | $1.932.040.000 | 2.2% | |
| Transfers to education | $749.479.000 | 0.9% | |
| Water (facilities) | $563.974.000 | 0.6% | |
| Street lighting | $345.942.000 | 0.4% | |
| Councillor stipends | $141.672.000 | 0.2% | |
| Travel allowances | $94.368.000 | 0.1% | |
| Commissions and representation | $35.684.000 | 0.0% |
Share of total accrued spending. Lines overlap (personnel sits inside several areas), so they don't add to 100%. Source: SINIM.
Personal y dotación municipal
Spending composition · 2025
Personnel by contract type · 2025
Municipal headcount · 2023
Municipal staff by contract status (SINIM, 2023). Cost per staffer = annual spending of the type ÷ same-year headcount.
Inversión, servicios básicos y obras
Investment and authorities' expenses · 2025
Basic and general services · 2025
Final works approvals (DOM) · per year
Building permits issued · per year
What it buys · Mercado PúblicoSource: ChileCompra · open data
Open profile in Monitor Mercado Público ↗
What it buys · Mercado PúblicoSource: ChileCompra · open data
Purchase-order amount · trend
| Top suppliers | Amount | POs |
|---|---|---|
| Socoal Ltda. | $32.204.423.071 | 139 |
| Fagon E.I.R.L. | $20.987.209.466 | 266 |
| Suc Ramon Colque Maldonado | $20.864.728.920 | 131 |
| Sociedad Jayhar Ltda. | $11.232.402.666 | 25 |
| Bitumix S.A. | $7.268.216.614 | 5 |
| Guillermo Alberto Delgado Díaz | $6.010.049.181 | 12 |
| Imaco Ltda. | $5.898.947.449 | 1 |
| Soc de Ingenieria Construcciones y Servicios Valle | $5.306.519.731 | 12 |
Purchase mechanism · 2026
| Tender | $26.332.279.892 | 92% |
| Agile Purchase | $862.693.223 | 3% |
| Framework Agreement | $804.605.865 | 3% |
| Direct award discretionary | $712.601.419 | 2% |
Companies and economic activitySource: SII · company statistics and roster (domicile/HQ)
Pyramid by sales bracket
Largest companies domiciled in the comuna
| Company | Line of business | Sales bracket | Workers |
|---|---|---|---|
| J.e.j Ingenieria S.A. | ACTIVIDADES PROFESIONALES, CIENTIFICAS Y TECN | Large 4 (>1M UF) | 3.230 |
| Soc Contractual Minera el Abra | EXPLOTACION DE MINAS Y CANTERAS | Large 4 (>1M UF) | 1.451 |
| Maquinarias Thm S.A. | ACTIVIDADES DE SERVICIOS ADMINISTRATIVOS Y DE | Large 4 (>1M UF) | 742 |
| Icl Catodos Limitada | INDUSTRIA MANUFACTURERA | Large 4 (>1M UF) | 717 |
| Procesadora de Residuos Industriales Limitada | SUMINISTRO DE AGUA; EVACUACION DE AGUAS RESID | Large 3 | 118 |
| Industria Proveedora de Partes Metalurgicas Ltda. | INDUSTRIA MANUFACTURERA | Large 3 | 77 |
| Transporte Agreducam Calama S.A. | TRANSPORTE Y ALMACENAMIENTO | Large 3 | 68 |
| Asoc Gremial de Empresarios del Transporte el Loa | TRANSPORTE Y ALMACENAMIENTO | Large 3 | 66 |
| Asoc Gremial de Duenos de Camiones de Calama | TRANSPORTE Y ALMACENAMIENTO | Large 3 | 21 |
| Socoal SpA | SUMINISTRO DE AGUA; EVACUACION DE AGUAS RESID | Large 2 | 890 |
SII roster of legal entities (public). Due to tax secrecy sales come in brackets, never amounts. The comuna is that of the domicile/HQ: operations may be elsewhere.
Investment in SEIA projects
Investment DECLARED by the owner upon entering SEIA (not necessarily materialized; the RCA expires after 5 years without works). Multi-comuna projects: prorated investment, jobs counted in full. Jobs = declared peak labor (source PRISMA/SOFOFA). Source: e-SEIA + PRISMA.
TerritoryClimate, biodiversity, national heritage, SEIA-approved projects and more
Roads and motorwaysSource: OpenStreetMap · 2026 snapshot
Road infrastructure of the MOP and concession holders, not the municipality: it measures how much highway crosses the territory, not municipal management. Only comunas with roads of this category are counted.
Environment and air qualitySource: MMA · SINCA + PPDA + RETC
Zone with decontamination plan Plan Calama y area circundante · critical pollutant MP10
Air quality observed at MMA's SINCA stations within the comuna (2024); when there are several, the worst is shown. The scale compares the annual average with the WHO 2021 guideline (PM2.5 = 5 · PM10 = 15 µg/m³, international health reference) and the Chilean annual primary standard (PM2.5 = 20 · PM10 = 50 µg/m³): green within the WHO guideline, amber between guideline and standard, red above the national standard. "Days above standard" use the 24-h daily standard (PM2.5 = 50 · PM10 = 150 µg/m³). RETC emissions = declared point sources (industry/energy), excludes diffuse sources like residential firewood.
Biodiversity and protected areasSource: SNASPE · SEIA baselines
Species of flora, fauna and funga documented in the baselines of the projects evaluated by SEIA in the comuna — what their environmental studies recorded in the territory. Conservation status (RCE/IUCN) and Chilean endemism are flagged.
CR critically endangered · EN endangered · VU vulnerable · NT near threatened (Species Classification Regulation / IUCN). ★ endemic to Chile. Extracted from SEIA studies by kingdom; presence reflects what baselines characterized, not a census.
4 Wetlands · 1 urban · 4.328 haSource: National Wetlands Inventory · SIMBIO (MMA)
4 Wetlands · 1 urban · 4.328 haSource: National Wetlands Inventory · SIMBIO (MMA)
| Code | Wetland | Hectares |
|---|---|---|
| HUR-02-01 | Sist. Rio Loa- Rio San Salvadorurban | 3.664 /5.958 |
| H-1417 | Salar 3-Salar Salobre | 346 |
| H-1418 | Salar de Rudolph | 303 |
| HPU-02-01 | Humedal San Salvador | 15 |
Area = hectares of wetland within the comuna boundary (apportioned using the DPA table of each record). For wetlands shared between comunas, "portion / total" is shown. "Urban" = urban wetland (HUR code). Official source migrated to the SBAP (Law 21,600).
Large projects approved by SEIASource: SEIA · approved projects
Projects with an environmental permit (RCA) approved by SEIA and declared investment above US$ 10 million, located in the comuna according to the case file and grouped by sector. Every sector with at least one project is listed: this is not a ranking or a selection. 155 projects totaling US$ 25.510 million, approved between 1995 and 2026. When a project spans several comunas, its investment is split among them.
Approved is not the same as built or operating: the RCA authorises the project, but some were never carried out and others have since closed.
Source: projects with an RCA approved by SEIA (investment declared by the developer, split among the comunas the project spans). Under each sector are its two largest projects by investment. It is the best public proxy for large industrial sites; SERNAGEOMIN’s registry of active mining operations (by mineral and type of operation) is a layer not yet incorporated.
Basic utilitiesSource: SISS · CNE · MINEDUC
Almost no comuna has its own utility: it is served by a major regional concession holder. Water = urban operational territory (SISS; rural goes via APR); electric = concession distributor per the tariff decree (CNE); higher education = university, IP and CFT campuses (MINEDUC/SIES), with the nearest comuna when there are none.
Environmental conflictsSource: SNIFA · SMA + Environmental Search · Environmental Courts
Final SMA sanctions
| Sanctioned entity | Auditable unit | Category | Fine (UTA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aridos San Pedro SpA ↗ | PLANTA DE ARIDOS SAN PEDRO | Mining | 520 |
| Rq Service SpA ↗ | RQ SERVICE CALAMA | 2 | |
| Sociedad Mutualista de Extraccion ↗ | Camping de Extracción - Calama | Amenities | 2 |
| Enaex Servicios S.A. ↗ | ENAEX CALAMA | Industrial facility | — |
Environmental sanctions final from the SMA (no pending appeals) whose auditable unit sits in the comuna: companies, individuals and institutions (including the municipality). Fine in UTA (Annual Tax Unit). Source: Public Sanctions Registry, SNIFA.
Appeals before the Environmental Courts
| Case no. | Parties / project | Subject | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-143-2025 ↗ 1TA | Procesadora de Residuos Industriales Limitada y otro con Superintendencia del Medio Ambiente Fábrica de Ánodos Insolubles de Plomo | SMA compliance program | Rejects |
| 8.506-2025 ↗ 1TA | Asociación Indígena de Agricultores y Regantes de Chiu-Chiu con Servicio de Evaluación Ambiental Ajustes constructivos a instalaciones de relaves espesados | Environmental assessment - Indigenous Consultation | Rejects |
| R-65-2022 ↗ 1TA | Corporación Yareta y otros con Ministerio del Medio Ambiente Plan de Descontaminación Atmosférica para la Comuna de Calama y su área circundante | Prevention and decontamination plan | Upheld |
| R-42-2021 ↗ 1TA | Junta de Vecinos Kamac-Mayu N°19 con Superintendencia del Medio Ambiente Recicladora y refinadora de residuos mineros y metales no ferrosos | SMA compliance program | Upheld |
| 28195-2018 ↗ 2TA | Comunidad Indígena Atacameña de San Francisco de Chiu Chiu en contra del Comité de Ministros (Resolución N° 0478-2017, de 12 de mayo 2017). RT Sulfuros | Environmental assessment - Indigenous Consultation | Rejects |
Appeals resolved by the Environmental Courts (Law 20.600) on the comuna's projects or facilities, geolocated by the associated project (SEIA) or sanctioned facility (SMA). Partial coverage: Supreme Court appeals and cases without a locatable act are excluded. Source: 1st Environmental Court's Environmental Search.
Green areasSource: SINIM · SUBDERE (2025)
Green areasSource: SINIM · SUBDERE (2025)
Municipally maintained green area per inhabitant (SINIM). The National Urban Development Council recommends a minimum of 10 m²/inhab (WHO, ~9). Self-reported by municipalities, with quality varying across comunas.
National heritageSource: National Monuments Council (Feb 2026)
National heritageSource: National Monuments Council (Feb 2026)
Monuments declared by decree (official CMN roster). Excludes archaeological and public monuments. Declaration entails legal protection and intervention restrictions.
Territorial burdensSource: SUBDERE (waste, Jun 2023) · Gendarmería (Jun 2025) · SISS (WWTP)
Territorial burdensSource: SUBDERE (waste, Jun 2023) · Gendarmería (Jun 2025) · SISS (WWTP)
Infrastructure this comuna carries — often serving others.
| Facility | Type | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Relleno Sanitario Cerro Colorado | Relleno Sanitario | 67.789 t/year |
| C.D.P. Calama | Prison (CDP) | 795 inmates · 349 convicted · 440 awaiting trial · 269% occupancy |
| C.E.T. Ojo Opache | Prison (CET) | 22 inmates · 22 convicted · 0 awaiting trial · 88% occupancy |
| PTAS - CALAMA | PTAS · lodos activados | TRATACAL S.A. · discharges into quebrada quetena |
| PTAS-SAN PEDRO COLOSO | PTAS · lodos | ECONSSA |
Official registries: they exclude illegal dumps and rural WWTPs (no consolidated public registry).
Forest firesSource: CONAF · Occurrence and damage statistics (2023-2024)
Occurrence and area affected by wildfires (CONAF). The 5-season cumulative gives a fairer picture than a single year: fire is episodic and big catastrophes concentrate in few seasons. The area is comuna-wide, not just urban.
Winter riskSource: SENAPRED · winter critical points 2026 (via FAU U. de Chile)
Points in the comuna where SENAPRED identifies winter-rain risk (channel overflows, flooding, collector collapse, landslides, mudflows, snow), with risk level and the agency responsible for the fix.
Climate and climate changeSource: ARClim · MMA + CR2/UC (CMIP6 modeling)
Modeled climatology (CMIP6 downscaling ~5 km): present ≈ 1980-2010, projection ≈ 2035-2065 middle scenario. Not recent weather observation.
SafetyCrime, road crashes and municipal security infrastructure
Crimes (police cases)Source: CEAD · Ministry of Public Security
| Crime | Cases | Rate/100k |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol and drug use in public spaces | 1.430 | 729 |
| Larceny | 1.388 | 708 |
| Threats | 1.293 | 659 |
| Domestic violence | 1.279 | 652 |
| Property damage | 1.121 | 572 |
| Minor injuries | 746 | 380 |
| Theft of items from vehicles | 628 | 320 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 585 | 298 |
| Robbery with violence or intimidation | 579 | 295 |
| Burglary of an inhabited place | 454 | 232 |
| Burglary of an uninhabited place | 436 | 222 |
| Drug-related crimes | 336 | 171 |
Showing the 12 crimes with most cases of 29.
Police cases (reports + arrests) recorded by Carabineros and PDI. Not victimization (ENUSC measures the real figure, higher due to underreporting). The rate uses INE 2024 population. Source: CEAD, Ministry of Public Security.
What the municipality does
Municipal security infrastructure and staff declared to SINIM (since 2016). Excludes Carabineros and PDI, which are national.
Road crashesSource: CONASET · Data Observatory (2024)
Crashes georeferenced by CONASET (urban + highway) during 2024. The only per-comuna source; covers ~70% of the country's deaths (non-geolocatable ones are excluded), so it slightly underestimates the total. Pedestrian collision is the leading cause of pedestrian death.