On 18 September 1866, José Santos Ossa and Francisco Puelma achieved the award of the concession of nitrate lands, following a request taken to the Bolivian government. The exploring of the Chilean miners found rich deposits of saltpeter (nitratine) in the field of Salar del Carmen, to the east of the present Antofagasta. Agreed to form the ""Sociedad Exploradora del Desierto de Atacama"" (Explorer Society of Atacama Desert). After the formation of the company, began to fill with what was called ""La Chimba"". On 19 March 1868, the "Melbourne Clark Company" was established, after the integration of Chilean and British capital.