Potosi, Bolivia - the place to buy mining supplies

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mcrtchly
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

12 years ago

On a recent visit to Bolivia, Cornish Pixie and I visited the famed Cerro Rice mineral deposit near the town of Potosi. This deposit was the source of most of the silver mined in South America during the colonial period and silver is still extracted by small time miners. It is possible to take a guided visit to a working mine but first you have to buy presents for the miners including live explosives.

In the picture below, Cornish Pixie is buying a stick of TNT, a tube of ANFO and a fuse - all for US$2

🔗Cerro-Rico-Silver-Mine-User-Album-Image-86413[linkphoto]Cerro-Rico-Silver-Mine-User-Album-Image-86413[/linkphoto][/link]

The shop is well stocked, we brought two new LED miners cap lamps with chargers for only US$18 each

🔗Cerro-Rico-Silver-Mine-User-Album-Image-86428[linkphoto]Cerro-Rico-Silver-Mine-User-Album-Image-86428[/linkphoto][/link]

Pity you can't do mail orders!

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jcam
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

Went there in 98. Bought a carrier bag full of dynamite,fuses and Anfo and let it off up on the mountainside. The best dynamite then was the Argentinian stuff at 20 cents a pop.When added to a bag of Anfo the difference was incredible. A massive crump, followed by a shockwave rolling down the valley. As there was a miners festival at the time ,no one batted an eyelid.Best fun i've ever had for the $10 i spent!!!:thumbsup:

lozz
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

No health and safety there then.

Never carry or store dets with the main explosives.

Lozz.

Bill L
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

The useful shop also sold coca leaves by the bag and rather rusty tins labelled 'alcool' which literally would remove varnish from a table top. An outlet like this would do wonders for visitor numbers at Heatlands! :angel:

fjällvandring
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

12 years ago

Isn't this the most 'dangerous' mine, or one of them, apparently. I'm fascinated by the indigenous element to this mine, the idols and shrines for Inkan gods, or perhaps not Inkan, there are so many amazing cultures down there

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