Marcona
Marcona is a Peruvian mining and port city, capital of the district of the same name located in the province of Nazca in the department of Ica. It is the first in iron ore production in the country for what is known as the "Iron Capital" and "Cradle of the Humboldt Penguin" due to the abundance of this species on its coasts. Its main industries are mining, trade and artisanal fishing. Its port is called San Juan de Marcona.
History
It became relevant from the middle of the XX century (1953), when iron ore exploitation began in the deposits of San Juan de Marcona and the construction of the shipping dock in San Juan Bay by the US mining company Marcona Mining Company. However, it is important to mention that archaeological remains have been found in the areas of San Nicolás and San Fernando, which suggests the presence of ancient Peruvians in these desert areas.
Numerous marine accidents also occurred in San Juan de Marcona, standing out the shipwreck of the BAP Rímac (1855), killing more than five hundred people, managing to survive only about twenty, among them the Peruvian writer Ricardo Palma. Thirty years later the Italian transatlantic liner "Italia" sank nearby, a national brigatin was lost in that area at the beginning of the century XX.
In 1870, the Italian scholar Antonio Raimondi made public the existence of an iron deposit in the pampas of San Juan de Marcona. Years later, in 1915, the first explorations began in the area, the local Justo Pastor guided the group of engineers to some pampas where there was reference to the existence of iron. In 1925 the government of President Augusto B. Leguía declared Marcona a National Reserve for future exploitation.
In the first decades of the XX century, several fishermen from the areas of Pisco and Callao were attracted by the abundance of fish and shellfish towards the bays of San Nicolás and San Juan, beginning the formation of small fishing coves.
In 1943 the Peruvian State created the Corporación Peruana del Santa, for the exploitation of coal and iron resources, the establishment of a steel mill in Chimbote. Subsequently, having verified the enormous iron reserves in San Juan de Marcona, a group of American companies (among them Utah) formed the North American mining company Marcona Mining Company, beginning the formation of the small mining camp around the San Juan port.
A few years after it was formed, the small camp began to gain importance and on May 2, 1955, through Law No. 12314, it was resolved by the Congress of the Republic of Peru. the district of Marcona is created, from that date to the present the urban growth of the city of San Juan de Marcona has become notorious. For 1961 San Juan de Marcona had an urban population of 7,172 inhabitants, in the year 1972 15,831 inhabitants; in 1981 18,321; in 1990 it had a population of approximately 23,000 inhabitants; in 1993, 13,253 hab. (clearly note a decrease of almost half of the population); for 2007 it is estimated that it will exceed 15,000 inhabitants.
During the military government of General Juan Velasco Alvarado (1968-1975), the San Juan de Marcona deposit was nationalized and the state-owned iron company of Peru, HIERRO PERÚ, was created, taking over 17 years of the administration, production and commercialization of iron ore.
In 1992, the government of Alberto Fujimori privatized the state-owned company, which was awarded to the Corporation Shougang of China, which to this day operates and markets the deposit and iron ore.
1996 earthquake
On November 12, 1996, a 7.1° earthquake occurred on the southern coast of Peru, mainly affecting the province of Nazca, the north of Arequipa and the southern mountains of Ayacucho, the epicenter was located 25 kilometers southwest of the city of San Juan de Marcona, seriously affecting the infrastructure of homes and public and private buildings in the town. The next day a 60-day state of emergency was declared in the affected area. Likewise, Bolivia and Chile were the first countries to reach emergency humanitarian aid for the victims and in addition to other flights bringing tools, blankets, tents and coats. Two days after the earthquake, the removal and cleaning of rubble began, especially from the adobe houses, which 80 percent collapsed.
In recent years, various conflicts have occurred between mining workers and the Chinese transnational company motivated by low wages and poor working conditions, a situation that occurs from time to time.
2000s
In 2010, the construction and start of the petrochemical industry in San Juan de Marcona was expected, in charge of 2 companies qualified by the Peruvian State to start the petrochemical development, the companies are the American CF Industries and Australian Orica, which will produce fertilizer, nitrate and ammonium. In 2013 the operation of both plants has been estimated (still on hold).
Since 2014, the company Eólica San Juan de Marcona (of the Spanish company Cobra) has been operating, which through 14 wind turbines contribute energy to the national interconnected system of Peru. In March 2016, the Tres Hermanas Wind Farm of the same Spanish company was launched with 30 wind turbines that provide clean energy to the interconnected system. Both wind farms are located 10 kilometers south of the city of San Juan de Marcona.
Geography
Location
Located on the southern coast of Peru, 530 kilometers south of the city of Lima. Included in the San Juan de Marcona District, Nazca Province, Ica Region. It borders on the north with the Province of Nazca; to the south with the Province of Caravelí (Arequipa Region); to the east with the Province of Lucanas (Department of Ayacucho) and to the west with the Mar de Grau.
Climate and relief
The climate is hot arid, with little rainfall. The maximum temperature exceeds 30 °C (January-March) and the minimum of 14 °C in the month of August. The annual average temperature is 18 °C to 23 °C. During each change of season, strong sand and earth winds called paracas occur. The relief of San Juan de Marcona is characterized by the typical desert of the central and southern coast of Peru, with plateaus, pampas and high hills; rich in minerals such as iron and copper. San Juan de Marcona has great marine wealth along its coastline; with wide bays, inlets and points, which give shape to a great variety of beaches.
 Average climate parameters of San Juan de Marcona | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Ene. | Feb. | Mar. | Open up. | May. | Jun. | Jul. | Ago. | Sep. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | Annual |
| Average temperature (°C) | 22.2 | 22.9 | 22.3 | 20.8 | 18.9 | 17.1 | 15.7 | 15.7 | 16.2 | 17.1 | 18.7 | 20.8 | 19 |
| Source: climate-data.org | |||||||||||||
Hydrography
The Santa Lucía river (in the Jahuay ravine) provides - through wells - drinking water to the entire city of San Juan de Marcona, which has its origins in the Ayacuchano district of Santa Lucía (Province of Lucanas) and runs between the limits of the departments of Ica and Arequipa until its mouth near the district of Lomas (Caravelí).
Ecology
San Juan de Marcona has a reserved marine area: the Punta San Juan Reserve. Natural refuges where there are a large number of sea lions, the largest colony of Humboldt penguins in Peru and a variety of guano birds. In addition, the San Fernando Cove is home to the guanaco and the Andean condor, the only place on the coast where these species can be found.
Economy
In this city there is a marked commercial development due to the existing mining exploitation in the area. Large-scale iron exploitation stands out, being exported to the international market.
Fishing is artisanal in the locality, using smaller boats for sea tasks that are later marketed within the locality and nearby cities.
Marcona Iron Deposit
San Juan is the administrative headquarters of the China Shougang mining company. Initially it was managed by Cía. North American mining company The Marcona Mining Company, which was cataloged in its time as a pioneer of mining camps in South America. It was nationalized by the military government of the armed forces, led by General EP. Juan Velasco Alvarado, after the coup of October 3, 1968. During the constitutional government of Architect Fernando Belaunde Terry, it was called Hierro Perú.
The company Shougang Hierro Perú is the only iron producer nationwide and operates in the District of San Juan de Marcona, Province of Nazca. According to information from the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the company has registered a sustained increase in its production capacity: thus, from an average level of 3.1 million metric tons in the period 2000-2003, it went to a level of 5.1 million in 2007-2008. However, due to the effects of the international crisis that affected world demand for steel and consequently iron orders, production declined to 4.4 million metric tons in 2009. In the latter year, iron exports from the company amounted to US$ 298 million, the main destination markets being China (84 percent) and Japan (13 percent).
According to the company, the firm's comparative advantages are:
- The mine has a high iron content, from 47 to 58 percent.
- The location of the mine facilitates the transport of the mineral to the profit plant through a conveyor belt.
- The mine has proven and probable iron ore reserves for more than 1.65 billion tons.
- It has its own port (Santiago deck) that allows you to receive ships of up to 220 thousand tons of capacity.
According to the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the company's environmental impact studies related to the San Juan landfill, the increase in the shipping capacity of the San Nicolás pier, the new transmission line and electrical substation, and the expansion of operations in mines, beneficiation plants and auxiliary facilities are in the evaluation stage and imply a joint investment of the order of US$ 1 billion.
For its part, the National Mining, Oil and Energy Society stands out among the investment projects and expansion of operations initiated between 2007 and 2008 and mostly completed in 2009 by Shougang Hierro Perú, the modernization of the shiploader, with an estimated investment of the order of US$ 18 million; the new shipment transfer system, with an investment of US$ 37 million; and the modernization of the production process in the mine and tailings management area of the concentrator plant, with an investment of close to US$4 million and US$14 million, respectively.
Lately there has been an increase in the population, with the emergence of marginal urban areas on the outskirts of the city, causing conflicts between these populations and the Chinese transnational Shougang.[citation needed]
Culture
Tourism
The beautiful coastal landscapes stand out; with spectacular bays; impressive points, as well as beautiful and varied beaches to enjoy in the summer months; highlighting the Los Leones and La Lobera beaches, to mention a few; ideal for Ecotourism, without a doubt a tourist potential to be exploited.
In addition, the city of San Juan de Marcona has hostels where travelers and tourists can stay comfortably (three-star or cheaper hostels). Restaurants where you can eat from different forks and specialties: fish and shellfish, Creole dishes, poultry, juices and pizzas.
Market in the center of the city, various shops in the avenues. Medical and dental offices, pharmacies.
Dakar Rally
During the years 2012, 2013, 2018 and 2019 the Dakar Rally passed through Peruvian territory, in the first two years in the Nazca stage the competition passed through areas close to Marcona such as the Jahuay ravine and Yanyarina beach (said areas correspond to the neighboring district of Lomas). In the years 2018 and 2019, the competition had Marcona as its stage, having its camp or bivouac near the city of Marcona next to the airport, which generated a large turnout from the local public and from different places in Peru and abroad. During the Marcona stage, areas such as Duna Grande, Pampa de Marcona, the Jahuay ravine, the beaches of Lomas and Peñuelas, the Acarí dunes and the Tanaka dunes were covered.
Festivities
- Marcona Week: Last week of April, central day on May 2.
- Marcona Tourist Week: February 5th.
Gastronomy
It has a rich and exquisite cuisine, standing out the typical dishes based on fish and shellfish; such as ceviches in all their varieties, stretchers, jellies, etc. The Peruvian Creole and Andean cuisine also stands out. Cochayuyo is a seaweed that contains high levels of protein and offers a set of benefits and properties. Likewise, its high mineral content stands out, among which we find calcium, magnesium, iron and sodium. It is a widely used resource in the town, the typical dish of the place being the famous "spicy cochayuyo" among other dishes based on the aforementioned seaweed such as: causa stuffed in cochayuyo sauce, spicy limpets, cochayuyo salpicón, etc.
During the harvest period (February and March) some people usually drink the drink called cachina, which is fermented grape juice, which has a pleasant flavor and a good degree of alcohol.
Illustrious people
Saúl Cantoral Huamani
Gabriel Espinoza Marquez
Annexes and farmhouses
Coastal zone
- San Fernando
- St. Nicholas
- The Guanera
- Marmolera
Panamericana Sur area
- The Distribution
- The Four
- High
Santa Lucía river valley area
- Jahuay
- Lagunal Grande
- Lagunal Chico
- The Carbonera
- Llaujipampa
Young Peoples and Human Settlements
- Tupac Amaru
- Right.
- Victor Raúl Haya de la Torre
- St. John the Baptist
- Micaela Bastidas
- Saul Cantoral
- Villa Hermosa
- 28 July
- San Martín de Porres
- Route of the Sun
- New Dawn
- Villa Verde
- The Emerald
- Cerro Colorado
- The San Pedro Zone
- Areas
Transportation
Sea ports
- Puerto de San Juan
- Puerto de San Nicolás
Airport
San Juan de Marcona Airport, three kilometers from the city, whose paved runway is 2,000 meters long by 15 meters wide, with possibilities for expansion and modernization.
Roads
Access to the South Pan-American Highway (km. 483) and Interoceanic Highway or route 026 (40 kilometers from the Pan-American highway turnoff to the port of San Juan de Marcona). Affirmed road to the different beaches of the town.
Near the airport there is an abandoned road (sandblasted) that led to the Acarí mine, the stretch is approximately 40 kilometers and connects with the Panamericana Sur highway km 524 (Alto Grande area), it would be good if the State or the private company rehabilitates said road so that the port of San Juan de Marcona is interconnected with the Arequipa region and all of southern Peru.
Buses
San Juan de Marcona has an interprovincial bus service to the cities of Nazca, Ica, Lima and Arequipa.