Summary
What the comuna hasSource: OpenStreetMap
Liveability index · EIU style
43.2 /100AuthoritiesWho leads the comuna, its council, sessions and lobbying requests
Mayor · 2024-2028Source: DecideChile · SERVEL

Mayoral history · 8 terms
SERVEL · TRICEL (1992-2008) · DecideChile (2024) · Wikidata (pre-1992)
Concejo MunicipalSource: DecideChile · SERVEL
Concejo MunicipalSource: DecideChile · SERVEL
Sesiones
En una línea: La sesión avanzó en salud y patentes de alcohol, pero la modificación presupuestaria de salud (~186 millones) y el pago judicial a CESPA (6 millones) quedaron sin votar por inconsistencias en cifras y falta de información al concejo, respectivamente.
Temas tratados
- Correspondencia: Cartas sobre demolición de terraza de local comercial, cierre de calle para fiesta de San Santiago (24–25 julio), acoso laboral en guías de turismo (Proguías), taller volcán Láscar (18 junio), solicitud de reunión de comunidad de Toconao con el alcalde.
- Cuenta alcalde: Certificación Green Destiny, participación en Exponor con rechazo al proyecto NX-1 en Peine, reunión con comunidad de Quito para ampliar RESCO/centro de valorización de residuos, sesión extraordinaria en Peine.
- Punto 4 – Segunda modificación presupuestaria Depto. Salud 2026: Reasignación de ~186 millones; incluye compra de mamógrafo (~40 M), devolución convenio COVID (~72 M) y refuerzo de cuentas de exámenes (~150 M). *Quedó pendiente.*
- Punto 5 – Personal honorario salud: Contratación de kinesiólogo y TENS para programa de cuidados paliativos universales, y extensión horaria de kinesiólogo para campaña de invierno.
- Punto 6 – Mantenimiento vehículos salud: Contrato de suministro por ~60 millones (839 UTM), 12 meses, empresa Alejandra Seguridad (nombre no confirmado con certeza).
- Punto 7 – Renovación patentes de alcohol 2.° semestre 2026: 105 patentes vigentes; se votaron las 74 sin observaciones; ~24 quedaron pendientes.
- Punto 8 – Transacción judicial con CESPA: Acuerdo de 6 millones por accidente de camión municipal que derribó postes eléctricos (demanda original: ~18 M). *Quedó pendiente.*
- Punto 9 – Comodato Junta de Vecinos Altojama: Terreno en calle Los Géiseres 170, 10 años.
Acuerdos y votaciones
- Punto 5 (personal honorario salud): aprobado por unanimidad.
- Punto 6 (contrato mantenimiento vehículos salud): aprobado por unanimidad.
- Punto 7 (patentes sin observaciones): aprobado por unanimidad; consejal Wikiñe se inhabilitó en dos roles por parentesco.
- Punto 9 (comodato Altojama): aprobado por unanimidad.
- Punto 4 (modificación presupuestaria salud): *no votado*, vuelve a tabla.
- Punto 8 (pago a CESPA): *no votado* (empate al pedir pronunciamiento), vuelve a tabla.
Plata y obras
- Modificación presupuestaria Depto. Salud: ~186 millones en reasignaciones; ítem más relevante, compra de mamógrafo (~40 M) y devolución de fondos COVID (~72 M). Pendiente de aprobación.
- Contrato mantenimiento vehicular salud: ~60 millones por 12 meses.
- Acuerdo judicial con CESPA: 6 millones propuestos. Pendiente.
- Llegó bus (Ser) para transporte escolar; falta una pieza; entrega estimada en 8–10 días.
- Comunidad de Quito autorizó terreno frente al relleno sanitario para eventual RESCO o centro de valorización.
Puntos de debate o controversia
- Modificación presupuestaria salud: El concejal Wikiñe detectó diferencias entre la planilla enviada a comisión y la entregada en sesión (~25 millones y ~2 millones según ítem). El equipo de finanzas atribuyó el error a filas ocultas en Excel; los totales cuadrarían, pero no se pudo aclarar en el momento.
- Pago a CESPA: Concejales reclamaron haber sido excluidos del proceso desde el inicio y no haber recibido el informe de investigación del accidente solicitado hace casi un año. El concejo quedó dividido al votar si pronunciarse ese día.
- Subvenciones: La Fundación/Corporación de Cultura tiene rendiciones del año 2025 sin subsanar; consejala Carolina Soto solicitó informe jurídico para evaluar auditoría externa.
- Plan de emergencia volcánica: Consejala Soto criticó que documentos extensos (planes de reducción de riesgo) llegaron con solo un fin de semana de plazo para revisión, sin socialización previa.
- Patente con orden de demolición (Arancivia): El concejo no se pronunció por falta de informe escrito de la DOM que certifique el cumplimiento de la demolición.
Para seguir
- Punto 4 y Punto 8 vuelven a tabla en la próxima sesión.
- Comisión de patentes pendientes (~24 roles) antes del próximo concejo; plazo máximo de renovación: 31 de julio.
- Informe DOM sobre estado de demolición de terraza (Arancivia) para pronunciamiento de patente.
- Departamento de Salud debe remitir detalle de devolución de 72 M (convenio COVID) y listado con estado de cada vehículo.
- Informe jurídico sobre posibilidad de auditoría a subvenciones de la Corporación de Cultura.
- Alcalde debe reunirse con comunidad de Peine para aclarar convenio médico (vence octubre 2026) y responder solicitud de la comunidad de Toconao vía ley de lobby.
- Gestión para que Vialidad y Seremi se presenten al concejo sobre proyectos entrabados (calle Licancabur, ciclovía) por el Consejo de Monumentos Nacionales.
- Continuidad del equipo profesional de la Oficina de Inclusión (recursos vencen este mes).
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 | 7 | — | 5 | 2 | — |
| 2021 | 7 | — | 2 | 5 | — |
| 2018 | 57 | 18 | 31 | 8 | — |
| 2017 | 38 | 15 | 12 | 8 | — |
| 2016 | 13 | 4 | 8 | 1 | — |
| 2015 | 29 | — | 14 | 15 | — |
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)
- MIMgm Innova Capital ChileLobby / interest management · 8 audiencias · 2018–2019
- CEConstructora e Inmobiliaria PypLobby / interest management · 6 audiencias · 2020–2021
- ZZaldivarLobby / interest management · 5 audiencias · 2018–2021
- HTHotelería Terrantai Ltda.Lobby / interest management · 5 audiencias · 2016–2019
- SQSociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A.Lobby / interest management · 4 audiencias · 2016–2017
- ABAlicanto BalloonsLobby / interest management · 4 audiencias · 2016
- WWomLobby / interest management · 4 audiencias · 2020–2022
- CDCompania de Petroleos de Chile Copec S aLobby / interest management · 3 audiencias · 2017–2016
- CECooperativa Eletrica San Pedro de Atacama, Cespa.Lobby / interest management · 3 audiencias · 2019–2021
- AMAntofagasta Minerals S.A.Lobby / interest management · 3 audiencias · 2018
- MAMarsino Arquitectos Ltda.Lobby / interest management · 3 audiencias · 2021
- TCTransmark Chile SpALobby / interest management · 3 audiencias · 2016
- UdUniversidad de TokioLobby / interest management · 3 audiencias · 2017–2015Lobby / interest management · 1 audiencia · 2016
- AEAsesoría e Inversiones Katari S.A.Lobby / interest management · 3 audiencias · 2016
- CMColegio Medico de ChileLobby / interest management · 3 audiencias · 2016–2017
- CCCiocca Ciocca Compañia Limitada.Lobby / interest management · 2 audiencias · 2016–2022
- ICInstituto Chileno Norteamericano de CulturaLobby / interest management · 2 audiencias · 2019–2021
- lcLa Cafetera Cultural SpALobby / interest management · 2 audiencias · 2018
- OLONG la Ruta SolarLobby / interest management · 2 audiencias · 2015–2016
- shSociedad Hotelera Desertica LimitadaLobby / interest management · 2 audiencias · 2019
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) | 88,16 % | CENSO 2017 2017 |
| School disengagement (leaves the system) | 1,7 % | MINEDUC 2023 |
| School enrollment | 101 students | MINEDUC · aggregated by hexagons 2024 |
| Municipal enrollment | 100 % | MINEDUC · aggregated by hexagons 2024 |
| PAES reading comprehension (DEMRE) | 551,9 pts | DEMRE · MINEDUC datos abiertos 2026 |
| PAES mathematics M1 (DEMRE) | 570,9 pts | DEMRE · MINEDUC datos abiertos 2026 |
| poblacion_censo | 9.843 inh. | 2024 Census 2024 |
| Income poverty (CASEN 2022) | 4,9 % | CASEN 2022 · SAE Observatorio MDSF 2022 |
| Pobreza multidimensional (CASEN 2022) | 22,5 % | CASEN 2022 · SAE Observatorio MDSF 2022 |
| Indigenous peoples | 61,87 % | 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 103 students registered for the PAES.
Registro Social de Hogares
| Elderly (60+) | 1.608 | 14% |
| Children and adolescents (<18) | 2.806 | 24% |
| Foreign nationals | 2.704 | 23% |
| Belonging to indigenous peoples | 6.555 | 57% |
| People with moderate/severe dependency | 88 | 1% |
| Single-person households | 4.012 | 60% |
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 San Pedro Atacama | Family Health Center (CESFAM) | Municipal | 11.869 | 48% |
| Posta de Salud Rural Toconao | Rural Health Post (PSR) | Municipal | 1.003 | 44% |
| Posta de Salud Rural Socaire | Rural Health Post (PSR) | Municipal | 284 | 41% |
| Posta de Salud Rural Peine | Rural Health Post (PSR) | Municipal | 275 | 50% |
| Estación de Salud Rural Río Grande | Rural Health Post (PSR) | Municipal | 72 | 74% |
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 ATACAMA LA GRANDE (art. 26, Indigenous Law 19.253).
| People | People | % of total |
|---|---|---|
| Atacameño o Lickanantay | 4.202 | 69.0% |
| Quechua | 1.076 | 17.7% |
| Aymara | 427 | 7.0% |
| Mapuche | 208 | 3.4% |
| Diaguita | 97 | 1.6% |
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.
5 Local media · FMSource: SUBTEL · broadcasting licences · Regional Media Survey (MSGG)
5 Local media · FMSource: SUBTEL · broadcasting licences · Regional Media Survey (MSGG)
| Local media | Type | dial |
|---|---|---|
| TTOCONAO | FM | 102.9 FM |
| AIAsociacion Indigena Consejo Atacameño · holder | FM | 88.7 FM |
| PdPrelatura de Calama · holder | FM | 104.7 FM |
| SCSoc. Comercial Integral Ltda. · holder | FM | 101.3 FM |
| SdSoc. de Radiodifusion Alegria del Transporte Ltda. · holder | FM | 95.3 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).
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".
Asociación para el litio 2025–2060 que reconoce 18 comunidades del Consejo de Pueblos Atacameños. Aportes municipales como % de ventas (sin tope): San Pedro de Atacama 0,2%, Antofagasta 0,1%, María Elena 0,1%, GORE 1,17%. CORFO proyecta hasta ~US$150 M/año a comunidades. Tomado de razón por Contraloría dic-2025.
US$10–15 M/año (tope US$15 M) a comunidades atacameñas vía convenios voluntarios canalizados por CORFO. 21 elegibles, 19 firmaron; comprometido 2018–2022 US$63,5 M, repartido ~US$14,2 M; ~US$29 M congelados tras fallo Corte Suprema (26-ago-2022) que exigió consulta indígena. Destinatario: comunidades indígenas (CONADI), NO el municipio.
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: 40% 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investment (works and projects) | $8.894.441.000 | 44.3% | |
| Municipal healthcare (primary care) · comuna health-sector spending | $3.757.475.000 | 18.7% | |
| Municipal personnel · municipal wages and fees | $3.755.842.000 | 18.7% | |
| Goods and services (operations) · supplies, contracts, maintenance | $2.687.285.000 | 13.4% | |
| Transfers to health | $705.000.000 | 3.5% | |
| Cleaning, garbage and landfills · waste collection and disposal | $618.238.000 | 3.1% | |
| Electricity (facilities) | $328.842.000 | 1.6% | |
| Street lighting | $224.463.000 | 1.1% | |
| Transfers to education | $200.000.000 | 1.0% | |
| Councillor stipends | $85.040.000 | 0.4% | |
| Water (facilities) | $35.328.000 | 0.2% | |
| Travel allowances | $24.975.000 | 0.1% | |
| Commissions and representation | $13.538.000 | 0.1% |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pt Construcciones | $16.485.293.876 | 5 |
| Cristian Andres | $11.988.368.532 | 25 |
| Empresa Constructora Industrial Mario Reyes y Cia. | $7.852.952.620 | 9 |
| Estrella Erika Molina Guerra | $6.417.183.503 | 14 |
| K D M S a | $3.175.180.306 | 2 |
| Juan Bernardo | $3.074.203.810 | 8 |
| Fabián Alfonso Salgado Selti | $2.996.800.667 | 10 |
| Sk Comercial SpA | $2.919.781.024 | 10 |
Purchase mechanism · 2026
| Tender | $3.523.347.035 | 80% |
| Framework Agreement | $350.806.481 | 8% |
| Agile Purchase | $288.295.356 | 7% |
| Direct award discretionary | $225.400.177 | 5% |
Companies and economic activitySource: SII · company statistics and roster (domicile/HQ)
Pyramid by sales bracket
Largest companies domiciled in the comuna
| Company | Line of business | Sales bracket | Workers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empresa de Servicios Misckanti Limitada | CONSTRUCCION | Large 1 | 158 |
| Hotel la Casa de Don Tomas SpA | ACTIVIDADES DE ALOJAMIENTO Y DE SERVICIO DE C | Large 1 | 155 |
| Servicios y Operaciones, Manuel Cruz Gonzalez, Empresa Individual de Responsabil | CONSTRUCCION | Large 1 | 122 |
| Agencia de Turismo Sebastian Andres Araya Rojas Empresa Individual de Responsabi | TRANSPORTE Y ALMACENAMIENTO | Large 1 | 37 |
| Coop Electrica de San Pedro de Atacama | SUMINISTRO DE ELECTRICIDAD, GAS, VAPOR Y AIRE | Large 1 | — |
| Ingeniería y Servicios Gbp SpA | CONSTRUCCION | Medium 2 | 70 |
| Ciocca Ciocca Compania Ltda. | COMERCIO AL POR MAYOR Y AL POR MENOR; REPARAC | Medium 2 | 68 |
| Kimal S a | ACTIVIDADES DE ALOJAMIENTO Y DE SERVICIO DE C | Medium 2 | 56 |
| La Asociacion Indigena Valle de la Luna | ACTIVIDADES DE SERVICIOS ADMINISTRATIVOS Y DE | Medium 2 | 49 |
| Comite de Agua Potable Rural y Alcantarillado de San Pedro de Atacama | SUMINISTRO DE AGUA; EVACUACION DE AGUAS RESID | Medium 2 | 28 |
SII roster of legal entities (public). Due to tax secrecy sales come in brackets, never amounts. The comuna is that of the domicile/HQ: operations may be elsewhere.
Investment in SEIA projects
| Project | Owner | Status | Investment (US$M) | Constr. jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modificación de la Operación Actual, Proyecto TED: Transición Hacia ExEIA | Albemarle Limitada | Under Review | 3.100 | 540 |
| Extensión de vida útil con transición hídrica - Compañía Minera ZaldívEIA | Compañía Minera Zaldívar SpA | Approved | 1.200 | 1.827 |
| Aumento de Capacidad y Optimización Producción Planta de Litio CarmenDIA | Nova Andino Litio SpA | Approved | 987 | 1.000 |
| Implementación de Infraestructura para soporte de suministro eléctricoDIA | Nova Andino Litio SpA | Under Review | 85 | 120 |
| Logística y transporte de Sustancias peligrosas en las Regiones XV, I,DIA | Sociedad de Servicios y Transportes | Under Review | 6,3 | — |
| Habilitación de Puntos de Monitoreo para variables HídricasDIA | Asociación Indígena Consejo de Pueb | Approved | 4,95 | 21 |
| Exploraciones AidaDIA | Minera Plata Carina SpA | Approved | 1 | 3 |
| Plan de Reducción de Extracciones en el Salar de AtacamaEIA | Nova Andino Litio SpA | Approved | 0,778 | 20 |
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
No air monitoring station (SINCA) in the comuna.
Air quality observed at MMA's SINCA stations within the comuna (2020); 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.
18 Wetlands · 4 urban · 34.921 haSource: National Wetlands Inventory · SIMBIO (MMA)
18 Wetlands · 4 urban · 34.921 haSource: National Wetlands Inventory · SIMBIO (MMA)
| Code | Wetland | Hectares |
|---|---|---|
| H-1438 | Salar de Aguas Calientes Centro 2 o Pili | 12.967 |
| H-1440 | Salar de Tara | 6.150 |
| H-1442 | Salar de Aguas Calientes Sur 3 o Purisunchi Talar | 4.504 |
| H-1430 | Salar de Capur o Talar | 2.626 |
| H-1429 | Salar de Púlar | 1.715 |
| H-1426 | Salar de Pujsa | 1.669 |
| H-1433 | Salar El Laco | 1.611 |
| H-1439 | Salar de Aguas Calientes Norte o 1 | 1.570 |
| H-1435 | Laguna Miscanti | 1.314 |
| HUR-02-02 | Rio San Pedrourban | 280 |
| H-1428 | Laguna Lejía | 197 |
| H-1434 | Laguna Miñiques | 147 |
+ 6 more wetlands
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. 26 projects totaling US$ 3.041 million, approved between 1995 and 2025. 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comite de Agua Potable Rural de San Pedro de Atacama ↗ | CONSTRUCCION ALCANTARILLADO DE SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA | Environmental Sanitation | 94 |
| Sandra Aracelly Prieto Prieto ↗ | LOLA CAFÉ Y RESTAURANTE | Amenities | 9 |
| Corporacion Municipal de Deportes y Recreacion ↗ | CORPORACIÓN DEL DEPORTE SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA | Amenities | 2 |
| Ada Mamani Armella ↗ | RESTAURANT EL DIABLILLO | Amenities | 1 |
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-82-2022 ↗ 1TA | Asociación Indígena Consejo de Pueblos Atacameños con Superintendencia del Medio Ambiente Proyecto | SMA compliance program | Rejects |
| 10332-2023 ↗ 1TA | Sociedad Legal Minera NX Uno de Peine S.A. con Servicio de Evaluación Ambiental Planta de Producción de Sales de Potasio, SLM NX Uno de Peine | Environmental Assessment | Partially upheld |
| 12928-2018 ↗ 2TA | Rosselot Mora, Cristián Eduardo en contra de la SMA (Res. Ex. N° 526/Rol F-041-2016, de 05 de junio de 2017). Cambios y Mejoras de la operación minera en el Salar de Atacama | Environmental complaint | Upheld |
| R-17-2019 ↗ 1TA | Comunidad Indígena Atacameña de Peine con SMA Cambios y mejoras en la Operación minera del Salar de Atacama | SMA compliance program | Upheld |
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 San Pedro de Atacama | Relleno Sanitario | 9.054 t/year |
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 | 175 | 1.587 |
| Domestic violence | 140 | 1.269 |
| Larceny | 128 | 1.161 |
| Threats | 112 | 1.015 |
| Property damage | 101 | 916 |
| Minor injuries | 82 | 743 |
| Theft of items from vehicles | 54 | 490 |
| Burglary of an uninhabited place | 40 | 363 |
| Burglary of an inhabited place | 27 | 245 |
| Drug-related crimes | 25 | 227 |
| Receiving stolen goods | 24 | 218 |
| Threats or brawls (misdemeanor) | 23 | 209 |
Showing the 12 crimes with most cases of 26.
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.