The Museo Mineralógico at the Universidad de Atacama holds one of the best mineral collections in South America — over 2,500 specimens representing minerals found in the Atacama and across Chile. For anyone with even a passing interest in geology, it is a highlight of Copiapó. The Atacama's extreme aridity preserves mineral formations that would dissolve in wetter climates, and some of the specimens are extraordinary.
The collection is housed in the university building near the centre of town. The lighting and labelling are reasonably good, and the sheer variety of colours and crystal structures on display — from the electric blue of azurite to massive quartz formations — makes a strong impression even on visitors who do not normally visit mineralogy museums.