Peru & Bolivia

Photo Gallery 15:
Potosí, Bolivia (2)

Photos by Adam Jones


Approximately 120 mines still operate on the Cerro Rico, many of them
mining cooperatives. A tour of the Candelaria mine, captured in these photos,
is an unforgettable experience


I.

Outside the mine

Our guide, José Luis (himself a miner for two years), explains the chemical
separation process at one of the processing plants outside the Cerro Rico.

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II.

The Candelaria Mining Museum

A tribute to the African slaves who worked the Cerro Rico, in a
little museum in the bowels of the mountain.

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III.

Cooperative miners in the Cerro Rico
(this shot and following)

A grinding, dangerous, brutally difficult life. All of the miners in
these photos have large wads of coca leaves in their cheeks to numb hunger
and increase stamina.

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IV.

Preparing sticks of dynamite for underground detonation

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V.

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VI.

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VII.

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VIII.

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IX.

Dynamite explosion outside the mine, on the flanks of
the Cerro Rico

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All photos are copyright 2005 by Adam Jones. No copyright is claimed for educational or other non-profit use if the author is credited and notified. For commercial use, please contact the author. Photos are also available in large-size (2272 x 1704), high-resolution versions suitable for printing and framing.

mail.gifadamj_jones@hotmail.com