The chimneys of Las Ventanas, in Valparaíso, had become the quintessential symbol of pollution in Chile. The cessation of operations at the National Copper Corporation of Chile (Codelco) plant has been touted as an achievement of the president's environmental policy.
This plant alone contributed 54% of Chile's annual sulfur dioxide emissions. The plant will continue to operate the refinery process, without the smelter, leaving many of its contractors up the air. The economic impact will also have repercussions on the future of the area.