Abstract The article examines the historical configuration of the Chilean energy matrix throughout the twentieth century and understands it as the result of the relative expansion and decline of three interdependent socio-technical regimes: coal, petroleum and electricity. For each of these regimes the article studies the techno-political definitions that guided its development. These definitions were represented as “problems” by the elites of an ideological, social or economic nature, which should be resolved by the State and the private sector.

Resumen Nuestro artículo examina la configuración histórica de la matriz energética chilena a lo largo del siglo xx y la comprende como el resultado de la expansión y declive relativo de tres regímenes socio-técnicos interdependientes: el carbón, el petróleo y la electricidad. Para cada uno de estos regímenes se estudian las definiciones tecno-políticas que orientaron su desarrollo, las cuales fueron representadas por las élites como “problemas” de carácter ideológico, social o económico, que debían ser resueltos tanto por el Estado como los privados.

Os efeitos ambientais das operações compreendidas no beneficiamento dos minerais metálicos variaram historicamente, de acordo com o desenvolvimento das mesmas. À medida que tais operações se tornaram mais complexas e rigorosas, provocaram efeitos ambientais cada vez mais complexos, diversos e profundos. Este artigo desenvolve um esquema de análise que permite descobrir e compreender historicamente a origem e a evolução desses efeitos.

The environmental effects of the operations comprised in the improvement of metallic minerals have varied historically, according to their development. As such operations became more and more complex and rigorous, they have caused environmental effects increasingly more complex, diverse and profound. This article develops an analysis scheme with the objective of historically discovering and understanding the origin and evolution of these effects.