Long-distance commuting and real estate investment linked to mining: The case study of Concepción metropolitan area (Chile)

Abstract

This manuscript discusses a little-studied aspect of mining-related long-distance commutation, such as the real estate investments of its workers in their home cities. Based on surveys conducted with miners and interviews with local experts, this work analyzes this issue specifically in Concepci´on, Chile. This city would act as a hinge for labor migration, which will translate into a return on investment that would greatly strengthen the housing market. The results indicate that mining emerges as a facilitator of acquisitions for first-time homeowners, something that is linked to public subsidies. This contrasts with the traditional image of miners as large investors and highlights the importance of public policies for the emergence of real estate growth linked to mining in Chilean regions.