Today we went to a mine that started in the 1500s. They mine silver, zinc, and lead. The mine is in a town called Potosi. The mine goes into a mountain called Cerro Rico.
We rode in a volvo l3314. There were no seat belts. We rode with our guide Wilson. The ride was fun but the road was bad.
Before we went into the mine, we bought gifts for the miners. We bought the miners some dynamite and I got to hold some. To go into the mine we wore hats and suits.
In the mine it was dark and muddy. There were holes in the floor and The ceiling was tall in some places but low in others. I would not like to work there. I did not think it was safe and I did not think the miners were safe. There were workers with wheel barrows full of minerals. The miners chewed coca leaves to stay awake. When the flavor left their mouth it was time for a break.
Outside the mine were some mine carts. The mine carts did not have brakes and would sometimes run over people in the mines.
5 Responses
Wow! The mining conditions are worse than I imagined. I don’t think I would have been very comfortable going in there. It makes you appreciate the improvements made in the mining industry here to make it much safer. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about it. I really like the pictures you used!
It sounds like one thing y’all will really appreciate when you get back stateside is smooth roads!
I’ve never been comfortable in mines. Big mines, little mines – I’ll wait outside, thank you! And those miners don’t get paid very much, either. Unfortunately, they need to feed their families and there aren’t many other opportunities in some of those areas to find good work. Keep enjoying – and happy belated birthday, Syd!
Syd, what a factual description of the mine, your ride to the mine and going down inside the mine. Even with holding the dynamite and being inside the mine you had that big smile. Keep enjoying your adventure. You are making lots of memories.
Oh my goodness, Syd…you held dynamite and went down into that dark and damp mine. Your adventures are amazing and you describe them so well!
Oh my … I did this in 1998! I bought coca leaves and dynamite for the miner’s family and walked into the mine with a kerosene (?) lamp and they asked me to watch the color of the flame. If it turned green (bad air) I was to run out as fast as my legs could carry me. They wanted to walk us deep into the mine to see the devils shrine and I said no thanks and was glad to see the sun again.
Have a great time in Bolivia, my home for 7 years!