Файл:60m artificial fumarole at el tatio geothermal field.jpg

After months of exploration, an operating malfunction occurred in well No. 10 in September 2009, causing the eruption of a 60-m-high artificial fumarole which took away virtually all the pressure in the El Tatio complex.

Once this incident occurred, the company was ordered to stop exploratory operations and take measures to stop the release of vaporized material.
The Quebrada del Zoquete project is located at only 4 km from the “Hoyada de los Geyseres del Tatio” geothermal field tourist attraction and is clearly visible from the area, which is located at 4,365 metres (14,321 ft) above sea level.

Although the company finally managed to close the well, damage was not limited to the visual. Ignorance of both guides and visitors - who were literally running all over the vents - caused extensive damage to the fragile mineral deposits, and the harm make take years, if not decades, to get undone.

El Tatio receives over 150.000 visitors per year, and is among the principal attractions of the towns of San Pedro de Atacama and Toconao. A closure of 2 weeks caused – according to the local chamber of commerce – damages in the order of CLP 1.000.000.000 (U$ 2 million).
Both locals and experts complained that national and environmental authorities have consistently ignored warnings about “drilling a hole in a volcano” as one spokesperson put it.

In fact, an earlier exploration attempt in the late sixties turned into disaster – even if only economically.

In the light of the astronomical amounts of money “Big Mining” is generating in the Chilean north, however, most locals suspect that what the companies are really after – again – is their water.

The Soquimich lithium mining operation recently received a permit for another 4.000.000 liter plant, at the same time that the water levels of the lagoons on the “Gran Salar” have dropped as much as 4 meters in 2009 only. Other Atacama attractions, such as the Puritama hot water baths and the high plain wetlands also show considerable diminished water levels compared to only one year ago.