Coal mining in Chile

Zona Central Sur
Zona Sur
Zona Austral
Location of selected mines and deposits.

In Chile, coal mining is restricted to a few places located in its southern half. Energy originating from coal stands for 11,6% of Chile's electricity consumption. Currently the country is not considered a major producer of coal.

The three zones of mining are Zona Central Sur (36–38° S), Zona Sur (39–42° S) and Zona Austral (51–54° S) in southernmost Chile. Most of the coal resources of Chile lie in Zona Austral at southernmost Chile.

Coal districts of Chile
District Sub-district Coal-bearing formations Coal age Sedimentary basin Coal grade Large-scale mining at present
Zona Central Sur Sector Norte Itata Basin Sub-bituminous No
Sector Sur Curanilahue Formation, Trihueco Formation Eocene Arauco Basin Bituminous No
Zona Sur Pupunahue Beds, Mulpún Beds, Cheuquemó Formation, Parga Formation Eocene or Oligo–Miocene Pupunahue-Mulpún Neogene Carboniferous Basin, Osorno–Llanquihue Basin Sub-bituminous No, mining ceased in the early 2000s
Zona Austral Loreto Formation Eocene-Oligocene Magallanes Basin Lignitic and Sub-bituminous No, mining in Invierno ceased in 2020


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