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Escudo de Tierra Amarilla

Tierra Amarilla

Atacama14.431 inhabitantsPoblación proyectada INE 202411.266 km² of area1 inh./km²$12.757M ingreso municipalSINIM · ingreso total percibido · 2025
Profile today2050
The comuna in context · among 346 comunas
Economy
1.496/1,000 inhab.
9th most promised jobs per inhabitant (one megaproject transforms it)
Explore
Economy
21.589 jobs
9th most jobs promised by investment projects
Explore
Oversight
177
5th most serious Comptroller findings
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Education
506 pts
2nd worst PAES reading comprehension
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Society
35%
11th highest multidimensional poverty in the country
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Finance
-23 pts
12th biggest gain in autonomy from the Common Fund (since 2001)
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Population
−6%
Population would fall between now and 2050
Society
34,5%
Multidimensional poverty · 11th highest of 346
Finance
$884 thousand
per inhabitant per year · rank 86 of 346
Economy
1.791
construction jobs · Investment in the pipeline would promise
Education
506,1 pts
below the national median in the PAES (576,9 pts)
Finance
276th
most dependent on the Common Fund of 340
Summary

What the comuna hasSource: OpenStreetMap

26 Squares and green areas
11 Schools
6 Kindergartens
3 Rodeo arenas (medialunas)
2 Health centers
2 Carabineros
1 Libraries
1 Pharmacies
1 Fire stations

Tierra Amarilla es una ciudad y comuna del Norte Chico de Chile ubicada a 15 kilómetros de Copiapó, en la Región de Atacama. Su principal fuente de ingresos proviene de la minería, donde los pirquineros tienen gran importancia local, y de la agricultura principalmente de uva. El sector llamado Paipote forma junto a la ciudad de Copiapó la Conurbación Copiapó-Tierra Amarilla.

Introductory text from Wikipedia, bajo licencia CC BY-SA.

Liveability index · EIU style

42.4 /100
Ver el ranking y simular
#276 of 346 · most liveable in the country (EIU weighting)
Safety59
Health34
Culture and environment56
Education22
Infrastructure23
AuthoritiesWho leads the comuna, its council, sessions and lobbying requests

Mayor · 2024-2028Source: DecideChile · SERVEL

Cristóbal Zúñiga A.Re-elected
INDEPENDIENTE
4.718
votes (48.05%)
12.555
Electoral roll
85,72%
Turnout
Mayoral history · 7 terms
CZ
Cristóbal Zúñiga A.
2024-2028 · INDEPENDIENTE
4.718
votes
CA
Cristobal Andres Zuñiga Arancibia
2021-2024 · PC
2.853
votes
CB
Carlos Barahona Tirado
2008-2012 · ILE
3.372
votes
YD
Yhanss Delgado Quevedo
2004-2008 · PS
2.393
votes
YD
Yhanss Delgado Quevedo
2000-2004 · PS
2.555
votes
YD
Yhanss Delgado Quevedo
1996-2000 · PS
966
votes
RP
Rafael Prohens Espinosa
1992-1996 · RN
1.109
votes

SERVEL · TRICEL (1992-2008) · DecideChile (2024) · Wikidata (pre-1992)

Concejo MunicipalSource: DecideChile · SERVEL

IR
Ivan Rocha C.
CHILE VAMOS RENOVACIÓN NACIONAL - INDEPENDIENTES · INDEPENDIENTE
980
votes
WC
Walter Cortes C.
CHILE MUCHO MEJOR · PARTIDO POR LA DEMOCRACIA
781
votes
MC
Magaly Cortes M.
CHILE VAMOS RENOVACIÓN NACIONAL - INDEPENDIENTES · RENOVACION NACIONAL
576
votes
RC
Raphael Campusano P.
CHILE MUCHO MEJOR · PARTIDO DEMOCRATA CRISTIANO
507
votes
DM
Delfina Marcoleta B.
POR CHILE, SEGUIMOS · PARTIDO COMUNISTA DE CHILE
391
votes
RH
Ruben Hidalgo O.
VERDES LIBERALES POR UNA COMUNA SEGURA · INDEPENDIENTE
267
votes

Sesiones

Última sesión16 de junio de 2026182 minWatch session

En una línea: La sesión aprobó la renovación de 75 patentes de alcohol, un contrato bancario de 4 años con BCI, la compra de 9.000 cajas de mercadería por ~$297 millones y aportes a seis organizaciones, con debate sobre fondos negados a un torneo de fútbol infantil.

Temas tratados

  • Acta N°18: Aprobada sin observaciones.
  • Patentes de alcohol: Renovación de 75 patentes para el segundo semestre 2026; debate sobre burocracia que dificulta abrir nuevos locales nocturnos en la comuna.
  • Contrato bancario: Licitación de servicios de cuentas corrientes adjudicada al BCI por 4 años; oferta del Banco Estado declarada inadmisible.
  • Cajas de mercadería: Compra de 9.000 cajas de alimentos para familias vulnerables, con entrega mensual de 1.000 unidades hasta enero 2027.
  • Aportes a instituciones: Seis organizaciones recibieron fondos para actividades de junio.
  • Correspondencia: Pasivos municipales (trimestres 2025 y 1° de 2026), permisos de obras abril-mayo y bases de un diplomado regional para autoridades municipales.
  • Puntos varios: Veredas deterioradas en Gabriela Mistral, planta de tratamiento en Los Loros, sede adulto mayor Teresa de Jesús y felicitaciones a deportistas locales.

Acuerdos y votaciones

  • Renovación de 75 patentes de alcohol: aprobada (unanimidad).
  • Contrato bancario con BCI por 4 años: aprobado (unanimidad).
  • Compra de 9.000 cajas de mercadería a Distribuidora y Comercializadora CERDI Clavería Ltda.: aprobada (unanimidad).
  • Aportes a seis instituciones: aprobados (unanimidad).

Plata y obras

  • Cajas de mercadería: $296.988.300 (IVA incluido) a CERDI Clavería Ltda.
  • BCI: tasa mensual 0,37%; contrato obligará al banco a instalar un cajero automático en la comuna.
  • Aportes aprobados: Junta de Vecinos Punta del Cobre $300.000; Agrupación Las Tarres Alto $300.000; Tierra Amarilla Diverso $1.200.000 (solicitó $9.100.000; se bajó por programa municipal paralelo); Comunidad Indígena Inti Wiñay $305.912; Consejo Vecinal de Desarrollo $600.000; Comunidad Diaguita Las Raíces del Roble $300.000.
  • Obras en gestión (pendientes de CORE): conservación vial sector Luis Uribe (~$6.500 millones) y diseño + terreno nuevo CESFAM (~$1.200 millones); votación del CORE prevista para el día siguiente.

Puntos de debate o controversia

  • Torneo infantil de fútbol sin aporte: concejales Walter Cortés y Delfina Marcoleta denunciaron que una organización con 16 años de historia y más de 500 participantes no recibió respuesta ni fondos, insinuando motivaciones personales. La administradora Catalina Guerrero lo negó y se comprometió a dar respuestas por escrito a todas las cartas.
  • Cajero automático en Los Loros: todos los concejales pidieron priorizar esa localidad para la instalación obligatoria del cajero BCI; el director de finanzas confirmó que hay condiciones por regularizar en el edificio municipal.

Para seguir

  • Instalación del cajero BCI: coordinar ubicación, con prioridad en Los Loros.
  • Sede adulto mayor Teresa de Jesús: proyecto FRIL a ingresar a fines de junio.
  • CORE debe votar conservación vial Luis Uribe y nuevo CESFAM.
  • Planta de tratamiento de Los Loros: concejala Marcoleta exige plazos concretos a la entidad responsable.
  • Farmacia popular: situación de beneficiarios quedó sin respuesta en sesión.

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)

What the council resolvesSource: Official minutes · AI extraction (ongoing)

Resolutions extracted
223
of 111 minutes read
Money involved
$3.419.056.344
sum of resolutions with amounts
ResolutionTypeAmountVote
13 · Aprobación del Instrumento de Planificación Territorial en el marco de la Ley de Sismos y Catástrofe N°16282, con las recomendaciones de las observaciones entregadas fundadamente del MINVU.Regulationunanimidad
200 · Invitar a DGA, DOH y SEREMI de vivienda en la próxima sesión del Honorable Concejo para tratar el tema de Mitigación y Erradicación del sector afectado por la CatástrofeOtherunanimidad
199 · Incluir la recepción definitiva de las viviendas afectadas en el sector de Algarrobo, Cancha de Carrera y Punta del Cobre como proyecto financiado por el convenio de CandelariaOtherunanimidad
198 · Cambiar las sesiones ordinarias del Concejo para los 3 primeros Miércoles de cada mes, a las 10:00 AMOtherunanimidad
76 · Aprueba que las Sesiones Ordinarias de Concejo, se realicen los días miércoles a las 9:00 AM.Otherunanimidad
75 · Aprueba un aporte a la Organización Club Adulto Mayor Padre Hurtado, por $280.000 para contratación de bus; y a la Organización Junta de Vecinos Escorial 1, por $280.000 para contratación de bus.Subsidy$560.000mayoria

Resolutions voted by the council, automatically extracted from the official minutes (extraction ongoing: coverage grows as the 94.917 indexed minutes are processed). May contain reading errors; the official document is the municipality's PDF.

Comptroller auditsSource: CGR · Municipal Observatory

Findingstotal
542
Highly complex
177
Audit reports
0
YearFindingsAltam.Compl.Median.Reports
2024241419
2022514
2021176615262
20195582717
201868151833
2017251276

CGR severity classification · audit findings on the municipality and its corporations

Who requests meetings with the municipalitySource: InfoLobby · CPLT (Law 20,730)

  • KM
    Kinross Minera Chile
    Lobby / interest management · 4 audiencias · 2018–2026
    Lobby / interest management · 2 audiencias · 2026
  • CC
    Cámara Chilena de la Construcción A.g.
    Lobby / interest management · 3 audiencias · 2023–2025
  • VS
    Valia SpA
    Lobby / interest management · 3 audiencias · 2023–2025
  • GS
    Globalgreen SpA
    Lobby / interest management · 3 audiencias · 2023
  • MA
    Minera Altair S.A.
    Lobby / interest management · 3 audiencias · 2025–2026
  • PY
    Pino y Labarca Ltda. (Amffal)
    Lobby / interest management · 2 audiencias · 2019–2022
  • EN
    Empresa Nacional de Energia Enex S.A.
    Lobby / interest management · 2 audiencias · 2023
  • CG
    Compañía General de Electricidad S.A.
    Lobby / interest management · 2 audiencias · 2022–2023
  • AC
    Aguas Chañar S.A.
    Lobby / interest management · 2 audiencias · 2018
    Lobby / interest management · 2 audiencias · 2021–2024
  • EE
    Engie Energía Chile S.A.
    Lobby / interest management · 2 audiencias · 2023–2025
  • CD
    Corporacion de Desarrollo Social del Sector Rural
    Lobby / interest management · 2 audiencias · 2018
  • Dl
    Dintec Limitada
    Lobby / interest management · 2 audiencias · 2020–2022
  • BS
    Bailac San Ltda.
    Lobby / interest management · 2 audiencias · 2022–2024
  • AM
    Andes Mainstream SpA
    Lobby / interest management · 2 audiencias · 2019–2022
  • W
    Wom
    Lobby / interest management · 2 audiencias · 2021–2022
  • SC
    Solek Chile Services SpA
    Lobby / interest management · 2 audiencias · 2021–2022
  • FP
    Fundacion Procultura
    Lobby / interest management · 2 audiencias · 2023
  • Sa
    Sterling And Wilson Solar Private Limited - Agencia en Chile
    Lobby / interest management · 2 audiencias · 2022–2025
  • FD
    Fundación de Beneficencia Hogar de Cristo
    Lobby / interest management · 2 audiencias · 2019–2020
  • AA
    Apeco A.g.
    Lobby / interest management · 2 audiencias · 2019–2022
and 93 more organizations that requested meetings

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

12.570
inhabitants
14.441
inhabitants
20022025

How it has changedSource: Official INE series 2002–2026 (2017 base).

See the full trajectory to 2050
Since 2002
+15%
inhabitants
Estimated population 2050
13.579
-6% vs. 2035 (14.379)
Over 60 · 2050
25,19%
19,54% in 2035 · +6 pts of ageing

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.

IndicatorValueSource
Homes with public water supply (2017 Census)76,66 %CENSO 2017 2017
School disengagement (leaves the system)1,3 %MINEDUC 2023
School enrollment99 studentsMINEDUC · aggregated by hexagons 2024
Municipal enrollment100 %MINEDUC · aggregated by hexagons 2024
PAES reading comprehension (DEMRE)506,1 ptsDEMRE · MINEDUC datos abiertos 2026
PAES mathematics M1 (DEMRE)499,6 ptsDEMRE · MINEDUC datos abiertos 2026
poblacion_censo11.846 inh.2024 Census 2024
Income poverty (CASEN 2022)6,9 %CASEN 2022 · SAE Observatorio MDSF 2022
Pobreza multidimensional (CASEN 2022)34,5 %CASEN 2022 · SAE Observatorio MDSF 2022
Indigenous peoples31,61 %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 57 students registered for the PAES.

Registro Social de Hogares

People in the RSH
15.016
8.549 households
Households in the most vulnerable 40%
4.707
55% of RSH households
Female-headed households
49%
4.157
Elderly (60+)2.60117%
Children and adolescents (<18)3.65924%
Foreign nationals1.0677%
Belonging to indigenous peoples2.84219%
People with moderate/severe dependency2302%
Single-person households4.82956%

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

School enrollment
2.245
12 schools
Students per teacher
11,3
199 teachers
national median: 10,15
Average attendance
86,5%
national median: 89,8%
Priority studentsSEP
73,7%
socioeconomic vulnerability
national median: 66,8%
Where they study · by provider
Public (municipal + SLEP) 87%Private subsidized 13%
Pass rate
97,7%
national median: 98,2%
Dropoutschool withdrawal
2,23%
dropout during the year
national median: 1,77%

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

CESFAM
1
Clinics
0
Rural health posts
1
FONASA enrollees
18.033
125% of the population
Doctors employed
12
Health staff by contract type
Permanent staff: 99Contract staff: 63Fee contracts: 17
Primary-care medical visits · per year
3.871
33.763
20102025
Comprehensive home visits · per year
549
752
20192025

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.

Comuna's primary-care centers · FONASA 2025 enrollees (17.947 in total)
CenterTypeProvider typeEnrollees% brackets A-B
Centro de Salud Salvador Allende GossensFamily Health Center (CESFAM)Municipal15.54451%
Posta de Salud Rural los LorosRural Health Post (PSR)Municipal2.40359%

FONASA brackets A-B ≈ lowest incomes (A: without resources). Source: FONASA, as of Dec 31, 2025, DEIS code.

Costs · 2025
Health spending accrued: $5.860.873.000 ($325.008/enrollee)MINSAL per capita: $4.982.261.000Municipal contribution: $516.195.000

Indigenous peoplesSource: 2024 Census (INE) · CONADI via IDE SMA

Indigenous population
3.744
31.6% of the census population (Census 2024)
Indigenous communities
15
RNAI CONADI registry · Mar 2024
PeoplePeople% of total
Colla2.19158.5%
Diaguita88723.7%
Mapuche49913.3%
Aymara902.4%
Quechua521.4%

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

Active neighborhood councils
29
Councils per 1,000 inhabitants
2.0
density of territorial organization
Non-profit organizations
98
the entire active civil fabric
Sports
13
Social and aid
8
Committees (water, housing, progress)
6
For the elderly
5
Cultural
3
Foundations and corporations
1
Trade associations and cooperatives
1
Fire brigades
1

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 · 1 Comunitaria · 3 FM · 1 Digital pressSource: SUBTEL · broadcasting licences · Regional Media Survey (MSGG)

Local mediaTypedial
CCANDELARIAFM106.7 FM
SSANTUARIOFM95.9 FM
wwww.fmcandelaria.clDigital press
CpCorporacion para el Desarrollo de la Radiodifusion Regional Pronort · holderComunitaria107.7 FM
MAMiguel Angel Veliz Araya Comunicaciones E.I.R.L. · holderFM95.1 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

Foreign nationals
682
5,8% of the census population (Census 2024)
Main origin
Bolivia
388 people · 57% of the foreigners
Main countries of origin
388 Bolivia
113 Colombia
56 Venezuela
36 Perú

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

Families in informal settlements
626
10 encampments (2024 Registry)
Housing deficit
376
9,7% of the comuna's households
Housing permits · 2024
101
6.164 m² · new construction
Subsidies Integrated System · DS01
56
paid · 2011–2025
Subsidies Solidarity Fund · DS49
331
beneficiaries · 2012–2025
Subsidies Rental · DS52
21
paid · 2014–2024

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

8.422homes · by type (2017)
House
4.360 · 92.7%
House
3.660 · 98.5%
Shack/hut/shanty
263 · 5.6%
Room in old house/tenement
49 · 1%
Shack/improvised dwelling
28 · 0.8%
Other private
25 · 0.7%
Other private
23 · 0.5%
Apartment
4 · 0.1%
Indigenous dwelling
4 · 0.1%
Room in old house/tenement
3 · 0.1%
Mobile
2 · 0%
Apartment
1 · 0%
66%owner-occupied · tenure (2002)
Owned outright
1.690 · 58.4%
Provided for work
474 · 16.4%
Rented
288 · 9.9%
Free of charge
232 · 8%
Owned, being paid off
212 · 7.3%

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.

Mining rent
Caserones (Lundin) — Fondo FOCO Tierra Amarillacommunity
RSE voluntaria (comunal)

Fondo concursable comunitario FOCO para emprendedores, microempresas y organizaciones de Tierra Amarilla; +10 años, +1.100 proyectos. Montos 2025 hasta $1,5M (emprendimientos), $3M (microempresas), $3,5M (organizaciones). Voluntario; es el caso más comunal del grupo.

$1,5M–$3,5M por proyecto (concursable)· vigente (bases 2025)Source
Royalty minero — Fondo de Comunas Minerasmunicipality
Ley 21.591/2023

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.)

Parte de $22.891 M (2024, Fondo Puente)· desde 2024Source
Others
Asignación de zona 35% (DL 249)workerspreliminary data
DL 249/1974 art. 7 · DL 3.551/1980 art. 25 · Ley 19.354

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.

35% del sueldo base (municipal: ×1,4 por Ley 19.354)· vigente (art. 7 versión 22-dic-2021, verificado 2026-07-02)Source

Budget and revenue sourcesSource: SINIM · SUBDERE

Total revenue · 2025
$12.757.372.000
Own revenue
$5.114.189.000
40% of the total
Municipal Common Fund
$4.100.163.000
32% of the total
State transfers
$1.624.138.000
13% of the total
Ingreso total y desglose de ingresos propios

Total revenue · trend (2001–2025)

$1.384.299.000
$12.757.372.000
20012025

Own revenue breakdown (IPP) · 2025

16.7%
46.1%
9.6%
27.2%
Property tax$853.105.000
Business licenses$2.359.636.000
Vehicle permits$489.250.000
Cleaning fees$21.989.000
Other own revenue$1.390.209.000
Special-law revenues · 2025
Mining licenses (Law 19.143): $1.063.591.000

Distributed by law to specific comunas; they arrive via transfers.

Revenue by sector · 2025
66.6%
30.4%
Municipal$12.757.372.000
Education$569.567.000
Health$5.833.712.000
Municipal Common Fund balance · 2025
Net recipient: it receives $3.280.502.000 more than it contributes.
Evolución por fuente de ingreso

Permanent own revenue (IPP) · trend

$300.921.000
$5.114.189.000
20012025

FCM received · trend

$619.195.000
$4.100.163.000
20012025

State transfers · trend

$230.987.000
$1.624.138.000
20012025

Municipal spending and budget executionSource: SINIM · SUBDERE

Current budget · 2025
$15.804.366.000
Accrued spending · 2025
$12.796.585.000
Execution rate
81.0%
Unexecuted: $3.007.781.000
Medium execution: it executed 81.0%. Left unspent: $3.007.781.000.

Accrued spending · trend

$1.419.338.000
$12.796.585.000
20012025

Distribution by management area · 2025

83.8%
12.5%
Internal management$10.724.453.000
Community services$1.598.130.000
Social programs$435.754.000
Municipal activities$38.248.000

What the budget is spent on · 2025

Spending lineAmount% of spending
Municipal healthcare (primary care) · comuna health-sector spending$5.860.873.00045.8%
Municipal personnel · municipal wages and fees$3.447.443.00026.9%
Goods and services (operations) · supplies, contracts, maintenance$2.478.259.00019.4%
Investment (works and projects)$2.436.344.00019.0%
Transfers to health$516.195.0004.0%
Electricity (facilities)$484.379.0003.8%
Water (facilities)$266.563.0002.1%
Cleaning, garbage and landfills · waste collection and disposal$155.974.0001.2%
Councillor stipends$103.669.0000.8%
Travel allowances$49.562.0000.4%
Commissions and representation$21.527.0000.2%

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

26.9%
19.4%
53.7%
Personnel (Subt. 21)$3.447.443.000
Goods and services (Subt. 22)$2.478.259.000
Others$6.870.883.000

Personnel by contract type · 2025

33.7%
25.5%
8.9%
29.3%
Permanent staff$1.705.628.000
Contract staff$1.292.889.000
Fee contracts$448.926.000
Labor Code$132.366.000
Community progs.$1.482.722.000

Municipal headcount · 2023

36.8%
46.4%
16.8%
Permanent staff46
Contract staff58
Fee contracts21
Total: 125 staffFee contracts: 16.8% of the headcountWomen: 37.5%Professionalization: 31.7%
Cost/staffer permanent: $29.565.957/yearCost/staffer contract: $18.679.983/yearCost/staffer fees: $19.266.048/year

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

Municipal investment: $2.436.344.000 (19.0% of spending)Councillor stipends: $103.669.000Travel allowances: $49.562.000Commissions and representation: $21.527.000

Basic and general services · 2025

Garbage and landfills: $155.974.000Electricity: $484.379.000Water: $266.563.000

Final works approvals (DOM) · per year

63
10
20022025

Building permits issued · per year

47
9
20122025

Management indicator · 2025

Maintained green areas per inhabitant
8 m²/inh.
Security/patrol cars
0
Security/patrol bicycles
0
Surveillance cameras
150
Security/patrol pickups
2
Security booths
5
CESFAM in the comuna
1
Primary-care medical visits
33.763
Clinics
0
urban and rural
Dependence on the Municipal Common Fund
44,5%
of own revenue
Security drones
1
Permanent staff
54
Permanent own revenue
40,09%
of total revenue
Doctors employed
12
as of Dec 31
Security/patrol motorcycles
0
Building permits
9
Health staff
63
contract
Health staff
17
fee-based
Health staff
99
permanent
FONASA-enrolled population
18.033
municipal health
Rural health posts
1
Street-market stalls
60
Final works approvals
10

What it buys · Mercado PúblicoSource: ChileCompra · open data

Open profile in Monitor Mercado Público
Historic amount
$75.432.240.794
Purchase orders
18.322

Purchase-order amount · trend

$650.588.837
$3.630.082.428
20072026
Top suppliersAmountPOs
Voltta Ingenieria Electrica SpA$3.283.532.5001
Garcia Servicios Mineros Limitada$3.239.331.9254
Serviatacama Ltda.$3.070.866.32038
Arquitectura Construccion y Obras Civiles Benja y$2.703.098.15164
Seringe E.I.R.L.$1.877.170.4809
Erick Alejandro Cereceda Valenzuela$1.551.178.4207
Ramon Francisco Lopez Loyola$1.460.939.85441
Laboratorio Atacama$1.288.428.999199

Purchase mechanism · 2026

Tender $2.489.181.12369%
Direct award discretionary$556.536.83115%
Agile Purchase $415.287.54011%
Framework Agreement $169.076.9355%

Companies and economic activitySource: SII · company statistics and roster (domicile/HQ)

Registered companies
792
domiciled in the comuna
Dependent workers
6.752

Pyramid by sales bracket

56.1%
19.8%
19.6%
Micro (≤2,400 UF)444 companies
Small (≤25k UF)157 companies
Medium (≤100k UF)25 companies
Large (>100k UF)11 companies
No sales/no info155 companies

Largest companies domiciled in the comuna

CompanyLine of businessSales bracketWorkers
Soc Contractual Minera Atacama Kozan LimitadaEXPLOTACION DE MINAS Y CANTERASLarge 4 (>1M UF)562
Arriagada Diaz Manuel Antonio y Pinto Onate Maria Belen Ltda.INDUSTRIA MANUFACTURERALarge 32.268
Transportes Verasay SpATRANSPORTE Y ALMACENAMIENTOLarge 3439
Boggioni & Boggioni LimitadaEXPLOTACION DE MINAS Y CANTERASLarge 2292
Soc de Servicios Agricolas Alamiro Zuniga Pizarro e Hijos Ltda.EXPLOTACION DE MINAS Y CANTERASLarge 284
Agricola Don Alfonso SpAAGRICULTURA, GANADERIA, SILVICULTURA Y PESCALarge 225
S L M California Una de la Sierra Pena NegraEXPLOTACION DE MINAS Y CANTERASLarge 2
Sociedad de Inversiones Tapia y Cia. Ltda.TRANSPORTE Y ALMACENAMIENTOLarge 1118
San Felipe Frutas LmitadaCOMERCIO AL POR MAYOR Y AL POR MENOR; REPARACLarge 172
Minera Jilguero S.A.EXPLOTACION DE MINAS Y CANTERASLarge 124

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

Under review
5
US$ 1.007 M declared
Approved last 5 years
22
US$ 2.417 M declared
Construction jobsunder review
1.791
+ 604 in operations
Construction jobsapproved 5 yrs
5.684
peak labor
ProjectOwnerStatusInvestment (US$M)Constr. jobs
Proyecto Minero Lobo MarteEIACompañía Minera Mantos de OroUnder Review1.5002.747
Línea de Transmisión Eléctrica HVDC Kimal - Lo AguirreEIAConexión Kimal Lo Aguirre S.A.Approved1.4809.535
Modernización Fundición HVL - PaipoteEIAEmpresa Nacional de MineríaApproved1.378,163.033
ENAPAC Distribución EsteEIARedabast Chile SpAApproved6001.096
Optimización y Continuidad Operacional Minera CandelariaEIACompañía Contractual Minera CandelaApproved6001.350
Parque Fotovoltaico Solar WingEIACopiapó Solar SpAApproved375600
Ampliación Central Desierto de AtacamaDIACopiapó Solar SpAApproved300900
Proyecto de Explotación y Procesamiento de Minerales La FarolaDIAMinera Altair S.A.Approved2601.200
Adecuación Operacional Faena Minera CaseronesEIAScm Minera Lumina Copper ChileApproved18523
Proyecto Modificación Faena Minera Caserones: Ampliación e IncorporaciEIAScm Minera Lumina Copper ChileUnder Review150329
Linea de Transmision y Central BESS Halcon 3DIABess Halcón 3 SpAApproved113,8520
Obras Fluviales en río Copiapó, Comuna de Tierra AmarillaEIAMinisterio de Obras PúblicasUnder Review107,388

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

Environment and air qualitySource: MMA · SINCA + PPDA + RETC

No air monitoring station (SINCA) in the comuna.

2monitoring stations· measures MP10; SO2· stations: Pabellón, Tierra Amarilla

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.

206
Species
105
Flora
94
Fauna
7
Funga
70
In conservation status
40
Endemic to Chile
Species in conservation category
QueuleGomortega keuleENBelloto del norte, belloto (genérico)Beilschmiedia miersiiVUBelloto del surBeilschmiedia berteroanaENRuilNothofagus alessandriiENPitaoPitavia punctataENLagartija de eleodoroLiolaemus rosenmanniVUSandillón, asiento de la suegraEriosyce aurataVULagartija de ortiz, lagartija de juan carlos ortizLiolaemus juanortiziVULagartija de patricia iturraLIolaemus patriciaiturraeVUSapo de atacamaRhinella atacamensisVULagartija de isabelLiolaemus isabelaeVULagarto de müllerLiolaemus lorenzmuelleriVUPalma chilena, palmera chilena, palmera de coquitos, palma de miel, palma de vino de chile, can – canJubaea chilensisENGuayacánPorlieria chilensisVULagartija de manuelLiolaemus manueliENRana chilenaCalyptocephalella gayiVUDragón de oído cubiertoLiolaemus audituvelatusVUAñañucaPhycella scarlatinaVULagarto gruñidor de álvaroPristidactylus alvaroiCRSapo de ruloRhinella aruncoVUGuanacoLama guanicoeVUZorro colorado, zorro culpeo, zorro coloradode tierra del fuego, zorro culpeo de tierra del fuegoLycalopex culpaeusVUAraucaria, pehuén, piñonero, pino piñonero, pino chileno, pino araucaria, pewen, guiliuAraucaria araucanaENAlerceFitzroya cupressoidesENPiuquén, piquén, guayataChloephaga melanopteraENVicuñaVicugna vicugnaVUChinchilla cordilleranaChinchilla chinchillaCRChungungo, nutria marina, gato de mar, chinchiménLontra felinaENGato montés andinoLeopardus jacobitaENTuco-tuco mendocinoCtenomys mendocinusVUParina chicaPhoenicoparrus jamesiVUPingüino de humboldt, pingüino, pájaro niño, patranka, humboldt penguin (inglés), peruvian penguin (inglés)Spheniscus humboldtiENFlamenco andino, parina grandePhoenicoparrus andinusVUCaitíRecurvirostra andinaVUGolondrina de mar de collar, ringed storm petrel (inglés)Hydrobates hornbyiVUÑandúRhea pennataENGaviota garumaLeucophaeus modestusVUGolondrina de mar negra, markham’s storm-petrelHydrobates markhamiENCamarón de río del norteCryphiops caementariusVUBagrecitoTrichomycterus areolatusVUDelfín naríz de botellaTursiops truncatusENCanelo, boique, voigue, fuñe, choólDrimys winteriENBallena jorobadaMegaptera novaeangliaeVUTricahueCyanoliseus patagonusENGüiñaLeopardus guignaVUIguanaCallopistes maculatusNTJagartija de velosoLiolaemus velosoiNTCarbonillo, mendozaCordia decandraNTLagartija de manchaLiolaemus nigromaculatusNT-Copiapoa coquimbanaNTDragón de torres-muraLiolaemus torresiNTLagarto nítidoLiolaemus nitidusNTCóndorVultur gryphusNTPumaPuma concolorNTColo-coloLeopardus colocoloNTChorlo de campo, pachurrónOreopholus ruficollisNTMurciélago gris, murciélago de atacama, murciélago orejas de ratón del norteMyotis atacamensisNTSapito de cuatro ojosPleurodema thaulNTChorlito cordilleranoPhegornis mitchelliiNTPilpilén, pilpilén común, american oystercatcher (inglés)Haematopus palliatusNT
and 10 more

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.

1 Wetlands · 1 urban · 151 haSource: National Wetlands Inventory · SIMBIO (MMA)

CodeWetlandHectares
HUR-03-03Rio Copiapourban151 /726

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. 74 projects totaling US$ 9.345 million, approved between 1996 and 2026. When a project spans several comunas, its investment is split among them.

Mining41 projects · US$ 7.209 M · 1996–2025
Norte Abierto SpAOPTIMIZACIÓN PROYECTO MINERO CERRO CASALE · Proyecto Caserones
Energy22 projects · US$ 1.985 M · 2004–2025
Conexión Kimal Lo Aguirre S.A.Línea de Transmisión Eléctrica HVDC Kimal - Lo Aguirre · ENAPAC Distribución Este
Environmental Sanitation1 project · US$ 83 M · 2010
Cleanairtech Sudamérica S.A.Proyecto Abastecimiento de Agua para la Minería del Valle de Copiapó
Others9 projects · US$ 38 M · 2006–2020
Compañía Minera del Pacífico S.A.Concentraducto Proyecto Hierro Atacama · Proyecto Acueducto Chamonate - Candelaria (e-seia)
Hydraulic Infrastructure1 project · US$ 30 M · 2026
Ministerio de Obras PúblicasObras Fluviales Río Copiapó Sector Rural Comuna de Tierra Amarilla

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

Distribuidora eléctrica
CGE
Empresa sanitaria (agua y alcantarillado)
Aguas Chanar
Higher education
No campus · nearest in Copiapó at 56.3 km

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

Final sanctions
6
Sanctioned entities
5
companies, individuals and institutions
Total fines
34.354 UTA
5 with fines
Sanctioned entityAuditable unitCategoryFine (UTA)
Scm Minera Lumina CopperCASERONESMining14.745
Scm Minera Lumina Copper ChileCASERONESMining10.000
Compañía Contractual Minera CandelariaCANDELARIAMining5.049
Compañia Contractual Minera Ojos del SaladoCANDELARIA-OJOS DEL SALADOMining4.162
Compañía Minera MaricungaKINROSS -REFUGIOMining398
Compañía Minera MaricungaKINROSS -REFUGIOMining

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

Appeals
8
on projects in the comuna
Upheld
2
the court sided with the claimant
Case no.Parties / projectSubjectDecision
R-94-2023
1TA
Yasna Valdivia Clavijo y otros con Superintendencia del Medio Ambiente
Candelaria 2030 – Continuidad operacional
SMA compliance programRejects
75804-2021
1TA
Asociación de Productores y Exportadores Agrícolas del Valle de Copiapó y otros con Superintendencia de Medio Ambiente
Proyecto Caserones
SMA compliance programRejects
35692-2021
1TA
Comunidad Indígena Colla Río Jorquera y sus afluentes con Servicio de Evaluación Ambiental
Prospección Minera Norte Abierto Sector Caspiche
Administrative invalidation - Environmental AssessmentUpheld
16561-2018
2TA
Compañía Contractual Minera Candelaria en contra de la SMA (Res. Ex. N°1.111, de 30 de noviembre de 2016). 
Complejo Industrial La Candelaria
Environmental sanction proceedingRejects
R-16-2019
1TA
Rosa Ahumada Campusano y otros con SEA
Continuidad operacional de faena minera Atacama Kozan
Environmental assessment - Citizen participationRejects
R-131-2016
2TA
Frutícola y Exportadora Atacama Ltda. en contra del Comité de Ministros
Candelaria 2030 - Continuidad Operacional
Environmental assessment - Citizen participationRejects
R-72-2015
2TA
Compañía Minera Casale en contra del Director Ejecutivo del Servicio de Evaluación Ambiental
Optimización proyecto minero Cerro Casale
Environmental assessment - Citizen participationRejects
R-20-2014
2TA
Compañía Minera Maricunga en contra de la SMA
Franja Aurífera de Maricunga
Environmental sanction proceedingUpheld

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 space per capita
8 m²
80% of the CNDU standard
standard 10 m²

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 monuments
13
Historic monuments
13

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)

Infrastructure this comuna carries — often serving others.

FacilityTypeDetail
PTAS - TIERRA AMARILLAPTAS · lodos activadosA. CHAÑAR S.A. · discharges into río copiapó
Where this comuna's waste goes
Relleno Sanitario El Chulo (Copiapó) · 4.519 t/year

Official registries: they exclude illegal dumps and rural WWTPs (no consolidated public registry).

Forest firesSource: CONAF · Occurrence and damage statistics (2023-2024)

Wildfires · 2023-2024
4
Area affected
3 ha
mostly shrubland
Cumulative last 5 seasons
10 ha
includes the 2022-2023 mega-season

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)

Critical points registered
36
At high or very high risk
36
29 very high
Main threat
Flujos de barro/detritos (Al…
Flujos de barro/detritos (Aluvión)

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.

Water scarcitySource: DGA · MOP (scarcity-zone decrees)

No scarcity decree in force today.
Years under decree since 2008
4
latest: 2021 · drought chronicity

DGA water-scarcity zone decrees (by comuna, province or region; basin decrees are not counted here, so chronicity is a floor). The decree enables extraordinary water redistribution measures. At the megadrought's peak (2021) 286 comunas were under decree; today 26.

Climate and climate changeSource: ARClim · MMA + CR2/UC (CMIP6 modeling)

Mean annual temperature
7,04°C
2035-2065 projection: +1,85°C
Annual precipitation
90 mm
projection: -5%
Hot days>30°C
2
projection: +3 days
Frost days
154

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

Police cases · 2025
842
all crimes
Rate per 100,000 inhab.
5.835
Police cases · trend
1.239
842
20102025
By crime type · 2025
CrimeCasesRate/100k
Threats137949
Burglary of an uninhabited place113783
Domestic violence112776
Property damage102707
Minor injuries73506
Larceny58402
Alcohol and drug use in public spaces56388
Burglary of an inhabited place47326
Robbery with violence or intimidation33229
Less serious injuries1497
Drug-related crimes1069
Threats or brawls (misdemeanor)1069

Showing the 12 crimes with most cases of 28.

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.

Surveillance cameras
150
Guards and inspectors
29
1 per 498 hab
Patrol fleet
2
cars, pickups, motorcycles, bikes
Security booths
5
Patrol fleet by type
Pickups: 2Drones: 1
Surveillance cameras · trend
0
150
20202025

Road crashesSource: CONASET · Data Observatory (2024)

Crashes · 2024
44
Deaths
1
6,9 per 100,000 inhab.
Injured
17
5 serious
Pedestrian collisions
2

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.