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Up until 1905, El Teniente was an inhospitable place for human life. However, overcoming the harsh Andean geography, many people were attracted by Braden Copper to work in a better-paid job than the agricultural tasks prevailing in the area. First single workers, then families, formed a group that settled early to take their chances at the mine, but who had to stand the lack of comforts, housing, and basic services, which they had to arrange for themselves. Only to the extent that such conditions improved, did they have shops, education, medical service, and houses -"bunks" for married and single workers, and "chalets" for employees- which formed different quarters, next to social clubs and recreational activities, such as the cinema and sports. Even though there was freedom of worship,
living together in Sewell was regulated by the Department of Social
Welfare, which watched over the general order and observance of
the Dry Law. Harmony and unity in such a community was only interrupted
by labor disputes (trade union demonstrations and strikes) and hazards
such as serious accidents and tragedies. |
Living
Guidelines