Cerro Rico
Potosí
Cerro Rico, also known as Cerro Potosí or Sumaq Urqu in Quechua, is a prominent mountain in the Andes near the city of Potosí, Bolivia. Renowned for its vast deposits of silver, it played a pivotal role in the Spanish Empire's wealth during the 16th to 18th centuries, producing about 85% of the silver mined in the central Andes. The mountain's intense mining activity transformed Potosí into one of the largest cities in the New World. Despite centuries of extraction that altered its shape and ecology, Cerro Rico remains an active mining site, employing thousands of miners today. The mountain is largely barren, with only a few plant species and native vizcachas inhabiting its slopes. Mining conditions have historically been harsh, with many miners suffering from silicosis due to dust inhalation and mercury poisoning from extraction processes. In recent years, the mountain has faced structural challenges such as sinkholes and gradual sinking, leading UNESCO to list it as an endangered site due to uncontrolled mining risks. Cerro Rico symbolizes both immense natural wealth and the profound human cost of resource extraction.
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Tip: Visitors should plan their visit during the dry season for better weather conditions and clearer views. Due to ongoing mining operations, guided tours are recommended for safety and to gain insightful historical context. Purchasing tickets in advance is advisable to secure access to guided mine tours. Visitors should be aware of the physical demands and health risks associated with underground mine visits. Discounts may be available for students and groups through official tour operators. Respect for local customs and miners' work is essential during the visit.
Interesting facts
- •Approximately 85% of the silver produced in the central Andes during the colonial period came from Cerro Rico.
- •The mountain contributed to making Potosí one of the largest cities in the New World during the Spanish colonial era.
- •Cerro Rico's summit continues to sink a few centimeters every year due to extensive mining and structural instability.
- •The mining methods introduced mercury amalgamation to extract silver from low-grade ores, which caused widespread mercury poisoning among miners.
- •It is known as "the mountain that eats men" because of the high number of miner deaths over centuries.
- •In 2014, UNESCO declared Cerro Rico and Potosí as endangered due to uncontrolled mining operations threatening the site's preservation.
History
Mining at Cerro Rico began in 1545 under the Spanish Empire, rapidly making it the richest silver source known to mankind.
During the 16th to 18th centuries, it supplied approximately 80% of the world's silver.
The mountain's shape was dramatically altered in the 17th century due to extensive mining, including mountaintop removal.
The Spanish imposed forced labor systems such as the Repartimiento and mita, exploiting indigenous labor under harsh conditions.
Despite depletion of high-grade ores by 1565, silver extraction continued using mercury amalgamation techniques.
Over centuries, mining caused severe ecological damage and numerous miner fatalities, earning it the grim nickname "the mountain that eats men." Today, mining persists amid efforts to manage the mountain's structural integrity and preserve its historical significance.
Place Guide
San Bartolomé Open-Pit Mine
One of the largest open-pit mining operations on Cerro Rico, operated by Empresa Minera Manquiri, showcasing modern mining techniques alongside traditional underground methods.
Underground Mining Tunnels16th century onwards
Extensive network of tunnels where cooperative miners extract silver using traditional and manual methods, reflecting centuries-old mining practices.
