Morococha
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Morococha | |
|---|---|
 Huacracocha (the largest lake on the left) as seen from Yuraqqucha | |
  Morococha Location within Peru | |
| Coordinates: 11°36′40.72″S 76°8′21.25″W / 11.6113111°S 76.1392361°W | |
| Country |  Peru |
| Department | Junín |
| Province | Yauli |
| District | Morococha |
| Elevation | 4,540 m (14,900 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (PET) |
| Website | munimorococha |
Morococha (Quechua: Muruqucha) is a former[1] town in Junín, a department of Peru. From 2013 to 2025, its population and administrative functions were gradually transferred to Nueva Morococha, a planned community built about 6 miles away for the town's displaced residents.
History
[edit]Located near La Oroya, Morococha was established in the early 20th century in an area of Junín dedicated to the country's mineral industry.[2]
Morococha was famous for hosting the most high-mountainous railroad in the world, a branch the Lima-Huancayo railway, which passes at the height of 4,818–5,000 metres (15,807–16,404 ft) above sea level. This record was held until 2005, when a line of the Qinghai–Tibet railway was built.[3] Similarly, it once housed the Tuctu Golf Club, also the highest in the world.
Transfer
[edit]Morococha served as the political capital of the district of the same name until 2013, when it was replaced by Nueva Morococha.[4]
In 2013, Morococha was the site of Toromocho, a planned open pit copper mine to be operated by Chinalco, a Chinese firm. A new town for the 5,000 residents of Morococha was built about 6 miles away, but some residents were reported to be resisting location. The mine is projected to produce about 250,000 tons of copper a year for about 35 years.[5]
The town's last remnants were demolished on September 19, 2025.[2]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Vicente Vásquez, Valeria (2026-09-13). "Morococha, un pueblo fantasma, o el costo de la transición energética en Perú". El País.
- 1 2 Jabiel, Sally (2025-11-13). "Morococha: el pueblo andino borrado por la expansión de una mina de cobre". Salud Con Lupa.
- ↑ Sen Nag, Oishimaya. "5 Highest Railway Lines In The World". World Atlas. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ↑ "Ley № 30081. Ley que establece la ubicación geográfica y la sede de la capital del distrito de Morococha en la provincia de Yauli, departamento de Junín". El Peruano. 2013-09-12.
- ↑ William Neuman (January 6, 2013). "Hundreds in Peru Balk at Relocation From Site of Mine". The New York Times. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
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