The famous mine "La Valenciana"

Hello all,

Just a small part of History.

For centuries the rich mines of Guanajuato in central Mexico have produced tons and tons of silver and gold. The famous mine "La Valenciana" was so rich that its successive owners of the 16th and 17th and 18th century could afford the luxury of claiming the title of the men most wanted riches of the world. Over 80% of the gold and silver circulating in Europe came from the inexhaustible deposits Mexicans. The mines in the 17th already down more than 300 meters underground and that hard work was done without the aid of any modern machine! Everything was done at the hand of man since the digging of tunnels to the punch (peak or chisel iron), mineral extraction and until his painful trip to the surface. A miner had to load 10 to 12 times a day for 50 to 60 kg of stones and minerals to rise to the surface driven by steep smoky because of the use of oil lamps as their only source lighting. The ore was then ground by a succession of grinding to finer then treated by settling, came the shift to mercury and to finish the treatment in the fire. The Valenciana mine alone has employed hundreds of peons, poorly paid and in most cases did not exceed 26 to 27 years of life expectancy. An exhausting work of convicts that would not be allowed today.

The precious metal once extracted, was flowing into bars and stores waiting for transport on the "Camino Real" path that started from Guanajuato was heading for the hills (los cerros) on San Miguel de Allende and then there was transported to Mexico and finally to the port of Veracruz to his boarding flights to Europe on the Spanish galleons, the famous "plata flota" and much later a destination for United States. Theft and looting were constant, since the extraction of rich ore, throughout the refining process and during the transport of fine metal. Each takes its toll on the way, but the quantities of precious metal were such that the amount of various robberies accounted organized according to modern estimates, just over 10 to 15% of the total tonnage of metal trafficking. The mines employed although many guards and security guards watch over the charges fantastic windfall constantly renewed, but for the most corrupt, those who would hunt down the thieves did in fact increase in the number, let alone members of the hierarchy or stewardship, which they well organized, stealing their dime by skilful maneuvers and tricks of all kinds.

Due to constant inspections, all these thefts were concealed in the nearby mountains along the "Camino Real" or their "owners" could respective quietly recover and escape as far as possible to finally enjoy the life of a wealthy nest egg. It is also worth noting the many convoys attacks, looted and hastily Concealed (in small batches corresponding to the portion of each of bandits) in the surrounding bush along this "road to gold" now totally deserted because superseded by modern tracks passing through the valley. Hundreds of unclaimed treasures still exist in the wild mountains between Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. Today Valenciana Mine is still in operation, this time administered by a cooperative. The mother lode is more than 650 meters deep or reigns a temperature of 55 degrees Celsius. It works only one hour to two hours of rest. The vein currently operated produces 57 grams of gold and more than 7 tons of silver a tonne of ore! For comparison, the gold mine Salsigne in France produces only 4 grams of gold per ton. Yes Mexico is truly the land of treasures ... .. and for a long time.

Good reading

Luc

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http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,13930.msg88128.html#msg88128

Thanks you Bomber 

Luc

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http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,13930.msg88140.html#msg88140

Hi Idaho Jones

Such is life so that the speculators could work, on the other hand which perhaps the future for a peon when around him there is nothing, survive while being exploited, rob, try his luck by searching a vein or leave elsewhere. It is a bit what takes place I believe. 

Luc


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I agree with you, unfortunately there are places in the world, where it is not nice to be born. 

Luc

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http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,13930.msg88327.html#msg88327

Hi BitburgAggie_7377

My pleasure, and many thanks.

Luc

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