Ferronor Potrerillos - Llantas - Chañaral Line, Chile

The American Andes Copper Mining Company, a subsidiary of the Anaconda Company, built the railroad, the smelter and the mine at Portrerillos from 1916 onwards. The challenges involved in building the necessary infrastructure are reflected by the fact that it took more than 10 years to complete the railroad, the smelter, water systems, housing and road in this barren, lonesome area.
At the lower end of the Rio Salado Cañon, a freight winds downhill. If you plan to visit this spectacular railroad, you should not wait for too long: Codelco plans to shut down the El Salvador - Potrerillos copper production by 2012, so this great line may soon be history.