The rise and fall of Potosi - and the continuing quest for the lucky strike

The Cerro Rico Silver provided not only the fuel for the Spanish Empire´s decadence, but also made Potosi become one of the largest cities in the western hemisphere (at an hostile altitude of 4060m). Until the silver production declined in the 19th century, an estimate of 8 million African and indigenous slave workers lost their lives in the mines and the mills.

Nowadays, still many people work in the mines (nowadays mining zinc and led), under conditions that don´t differ vastly from the silver era. The miners however work in cooperatives, organizing their own work and sharing the profits. Many start at an early age, and deliberately gamble their own life expectancy in hope for hitting a vein, that will provide wealth for the years to come.

The visit to the mines certainly has altered my perspective on the splendour of colonial time Sucre etc. Moreover, it exemplified that dignity of labour exists even in the most abismal working conditions; the miners do not ask for compassion, but rather for respect.

The mighty Cerro Rico


The mines belong to the real of the "Tio"

Miners on the way from their workplace


Some rather young miners


Me after the 3 hour tour


Craig from the US and me,
after an insightful discussion about the former

All fotos from Potosi