ATACAMA OPEN PIT MINE

Atacama Desert Chile | 2008

This documentary focuses on the influence of unique climatic and geological conditions on industrial processes. The Atacama Desert is commonly known as one of the driest places on earth, which is particularly noteworthy because of its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. This unique condition, created by a 'rain shadow' effect, is valuable for minerals exploration and harvesting, as mineral deposits, uncontaminated or dissolved by water are available and visible immediately at the surface of the earth and within relatively immediate access to global shipping waters.