Cerro Rico, Potosi

Still affected by soroche was venture by the claustrophobic Potosí silver mine at the beginning of my experience a shortness of breath, but it was incredible to meet the work of local miners. Recommend the tour.

The Cerro Rico-from which about 70,000 tons of silver were extracted during 5 centuries of mining-now produces a mixture of minerals of Tin, lead, zinc and-probably somewhere-some more silver. Approximately 110 mining inputs are still operating in this immense cone of gruyere, where miners ' deaths are still common for both silicosis that for accidents. Working conditions, backed by results from small cooperatives of miners paid a ton of extracted material, are very harsh. To resist 8-10 hours or more in narrow galleries men-12 to 64 years people here work-300-400 are forced to chew coca leaves every day, and is frequent intake of pure alcohol (95°) to give himself strength. Coke and alcohol are also offered by miners at the statue of Tio: the demon possessor of the mountain-present in each gallery. Whoever visits a mine accompanied by expert guides, possibly ex-miners, before entering the market buys mineros coca leaves, alcohol, bags of soda bottles, sticks of dynamite, to give them as a gift to the miners who agree to stop for a few minutes to talk to visitors and answer their questions. This is people who get 10-15 euros per day to push for 8-10 hours carts from one or two tons of ore for hundreds of meters into the bowels of the mountain, risking their lives every moment and with the expectation of living up to 45 years. The visit-for atmosphere rich in mineral powder, the altitude, the dark, the humidity, the psychological impact resulting from working conditions-can be very distressing for sensitive people, claustrophobic, with breathing problems. A very interesting experience, but with due caution.