The Court of Appeals of the northern region of Chile confirmed the rejection of the Dominga mining project, promoted by the multinational Andes Iron. The initiative aimed to open two iron and copper mines, with an estimated investment of 2.5 billion dollars, in addition to building a port in La Higuera, Coquimbo region, in the heart of the Humboldt Penguin National Reserve.
The court annulled the appeals filed by the company and ratified the decision of the Committee of Ministers of January 2025, which had unanimously rejected the project. The Minister of Environment, Maisa Rojas, celebrated the resolution as a confirmation that “the institutions work” and that the project is definitively discarded.
The Humboldt Penguin: Sentinel Species
The protection of the Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) is central to this case. Chile is home to about 80% of the world’s population of this vulnerable species, making the country its main custodian. Its conservation is vital because:
- Sentinel species: it reflects the health of the Humboldt Current, indicating ocean productivity and food availability for other species.
- High concentration in Chile: it nests in critical places such as the Chañaral, Choros, and Pan de Azúcar islands.
- Natural monument: legal tools have been strengthened to protect it, limiting activities that affect its habitat.
- Unique ecosystem: its protection implies conserving the so-called “Chilean Galapagos”, with more than 560 marine species.
- Direct threats: it faces risks such as climate change, overfishing, loss of nesting sites, and avian flu.
Impact of the Dominga Project
The mining and port project threatened to severely alter the marine and coastal ecosystem of the region.
The construction of a port in La Higuera would have increased maritime traffic and pollution, directly affecting penguin colonies and other marine species. Additionally, mining exploitation posed risks of biodiversity loss, water contamination, and conflicts with local communities.
A Precedent for Environmental Policy
The definitive rejection of the Dominga project marks a key precedent in Chilean environmental policy, showing that judicial and ministerial decisions can align with biodiversity protection against economic interests. It also reflects a cultural shift: Chilean society increasingly demands that economic development be compatible with the conservation of its unique ecosystems.
The ruling against the Dominga project not only protects the Humboldt penguin but also ensures the preservation of a marine ecosystem of global significance. Chile thus reaffirms its role as a biodiversity custodian and sends a clear message: the country’s energy and economic future must be built without compromising the natural wealth that distinguishes it.
