English 
Spanish 
5 min read
0 comments
Do you know the largest silver mine in the world in Latin America, active for over 500 years? Discover the Potosí Deposit in Bolivia today, home to vast silver reserves.
Potosí, a city in south-central Bolivia, located at the foot of the Cerro Rico mountain, is home to the world's largest silver mine in Latin America. The Potosí Deposit is famous for containing large quantities of silver, and thanks to this the city became one of the largest cities in the world at the beginning of the 17th century.
The largest silver mine in the world is located in Potosí, Bolivia, and is known as the Potosí Deposit. Discovered in the 500th century, the mine has been a constant source of silver for more than XNUMX years, playing a crucial role in the economic history of Latin America and the world. During colonial times, the Potosí mine was one of the greatest sources of wealth for the Spanish Empire, fueling the European economy with large quantities of silver. The city of Potosí, located nearby the mine, became one of the richest and most populous in the world during the colonial period due to the abundance of silver extracted.
How did the history of the Potosí mine begin?
When the Spanish discovered the “new world” by accident, they were fascinated by gold. However, what really made Spain rich was not the El Dorado that was never seen, but silver.
- Discover the history of orichalcum, the precious metal of the ancient world that shone in antiquity and still challenges archaeologists with its mysterious secrets!
- New factory built in Brazil will have an investment of 11 MILLION euros! Belgian laminate flooring company Unilin has chosen Paraná for its new unit
- Anvisa bans the sale of famous brand powdered milk in all supermarkets in Brazil due to irregularities that put consumers on alert!
- Companies in Japan are offering free housing and college to attract Generation Z amid a low birth rate crisis that is redefining the country's future!
In the Andean mountains, there was a silver hill so large that it would make an isolated Inca village nearby the fourth largest city in the Christian world in just 70 years. This is the Potosí Deposit, which currently occupies the territory of Bolivia.
A extraction of the world's largest silver mine in Latin America financed the creation of the industrial complex most advanced of the time and would define economic fortunes from China to western Europe. At its peak, at the beginning of the 160th century, XNUMX people lived in Potosí, including Native Americans, African slaves and Spanish settlers.
American silver from the Potosí mine began crossing the Atlantic within a few years of its discovery. The volume went from modest 148 kg per year in the 1520s, to almost 3 thousand tons per year 70 years later.
How much silver does the mine still have?
Based on information found on various websites, the Cerro Rico mine in Potosí, Bolivia, produced more than 60.000 tons of silver since the XNUMXth century. Current estimates suggest that a significant amount of silver still remains in the mine, but exact data varies.
Assuming that the mine still retains around 10% of what has already been produced, a rough estimate would be 6.000 tons of silver remaining. However, this is just an estimate and accurate data requires specialized sources and specific mining reports.
Check out the current situation of the world's largest silver mine in Latin America
Since then, the city of Potosí, which became the largest in the Americas and represented the economic and cultural splendor of the continent, still depends on this valuable resource, and its infrastructure was developed based on mining.
Faced with extraction and dynamite explosions, the Potosí Deposit changed color and size and became a true “Swiss cheese”, full of tunnels and paths.
According to the guide at the Potosí mine, which receives tourists from various regions of the world, currently the mountain of the world's largest silver mine in Latin America is explored through a cooperative system. There are 37 cooperatives operating in Cerro Rico. There is no longer so much silver, however, tin and other minerals are mainly extracted.
The Potosí Deposit is not only famous for its historic production, but it also continues to be an important source of silver to this day. Modern mining techniques have enabled efficient and sustainable extraction, preserving the mine's legacy while contributing to the local and global economy. In addition to silver, the mine also produces other valuable minerals, such as zinc and lead, reinforcing its economic importance. The Potosí mine is an enduring testament to Bolivia's mineral wealth and its ability to influence the world economy through the centuries.
Daily life at the Potosí mine
In this article you can get an idea about the daily life of miners in the world's largest silver mine in Latin America, learn about the mystical beliefs of local communities and feel the atmosphere of the environment.
For tourists, the tour begins with a meeting for safety guidance and information on the use of the equipment. On the way to the Potosí Deposit, tourists pass by a local mining market, where they can see mining materials and buy small gifts to give to workers, such as coca leaves.
The tourist is then guided to the Potosí mine, where they can explore the local working environment alongside a professional guide. Before entering the mines, visitors are equipped with a safety jacket, pants, rubber boots, helmets and an electric torch.
During the tour inside the tunnels of the world's largest silver mine in Latin America, it is possible to see statues to which miners turn for protection, learn about the work routine and talk to the miners.
