Beatriz Buttazzoni & Nicolás Camilo Zanetta-Colombo Research Project

Beatriz is interested in delving into the timeline that begins in the early twentieth century in Chile, where mining is installed as a cultural factor and at the same time, and silently, as main source of environmental damage with the alienation of rivers and later with the construction of huge tailings that modified earth's geology, under which lives a large part of the country's population.

With a focus on the energy transition era, Nicolás's research delves into the temporal and spatial impact of mining activity. Drawing on diverse environmental matrices, including sediment dust, surface soil, and tree rings, Zanetta-Colombo aims to unravel the multidimensional environmental consequences of mining. His work sheds light on the often-underestimated risks faced by indigenous communities residing in the Atacama Desert, a region historically affected by the mining industry. Through his research, Zanetta-Colombo uncovers evidence of negligence at the local scale, bringing attention to the detrimental effects on both the environment and the well-being of communities. By examining various environmental indicators, his research aimed to contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the mining industry's ecological footprint in northern Chile.