Chile's Sacrifice Zones: Coal Plants Have Polluted Mejillones for Decades

By Paw Mozter Feb 12, 2024 05:31 PM EST

Mejillones, a small town in northern Chile, is a paradox of natural beauty and industrial pollution. The emerald green waters and white sands paint a picture of paradise.

However, this serene landscape is marred by the ominous presence of coal-fired plants that stand as sentinels of pollution. The town is one of the country's five "sacrifice zones," where residents live engulfed in pollution.

The transition to cleaner energy sources has begun in Chile, with commitments to close 28 coal-fired power plant units by 2040. Nine have already been shut down. Yet, the scars left behind by years of coal production are still evident in places like Mejillones.

Mejillones' Dual Existence



(Photo : RODRIGO ARANGUA/AFP via Getty Images)

Mejillones is located in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth. The town relies on the sea for its livelihood, as fishing is its main economic activity.

However, the sea also brings challenges, as the town is exposed to frequent storms and tsunamis.

The town's history is intertwined with the development of the mining industry in Chile. In the late 19th century, Mejillones was a strategic port for the export of saltpeter, a key ingredient for fertilizer and explosives.

Later, in the 20th century, the town became a hub for the transport of copper, iron, and coal.

More:
https://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/60626/20240212/chile-s-sacrifice-zones-coal-plants-polluted-mejillones-decades.htm