Deadly Mines Of Bolivia: Counting The Lost Souls

Bolivia's Cerro Rico mines, also known as the mountain that eats men, have a long history of fatalities. The mines, which are located in the Bolivian city of Potosí, were once the world's biggest source of silver. The city of Potosí became one of the largest cities in the New World, with a population of 150,000 in 1570. However, the mines have claimed the lives of numerous workers over the years, with an estimated eight million miners dying in Potosí alone between 1500 and 1800. The dangerous working conditions in the mines, including the lack of protective equipment and constant inhalation of dust, have led to a high number of deaths. The miners often face risks such as toxic gases, mine collapses, and electrocution, with only basic tools for protection. The exact number of deaths in the Cerro Rico mines is uncertain, but it is clear that the toll has been significant, earning the mountain its infamous reputation.

Cerro Rico, or Rich Hill, is a mountain in Bolivia, also known as the mountain that eats men

The Spanish forced Quechua Indian slaves to work the mines to bankroll their empire. It is estimated that up to eight million men died in the mines since the 16th century, with some historians believing the number could be in the hundreds of thousands. The high death toll was due to the brutal working conditions, with miners facing cave-ins, overwork, hunger, disease, and poisonous gases. Even today, working conditions remain largely unchanged, with miners continuing to brave cave-ins, electrocution, and toxic gases.

In addition to the human cost, the mountain itself has suffered. Centuries of mining have left Cerro Rico riddled with tunnels and sinkholes, causing parts of the peak to be at risk of collapse. In 2011, a 50-metre-wide sinkhole had to be filled with ultra-light cement to prevent a catastrophe. Despite these measures, the summit continues to sink a few centimetres every year, and there remains a risk of collapse as long as mining operations continue above the 4,400-metre mark.

The mountain's history of misery and unimaginable riches has made it an important monument in Bolivia. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, and today, tourism is becoming an important secondary industry in Potosí. Former miners give tours of their old workplaces, providing a stark insight into the dangers and hardships they faced.

An estimated 8 million people died in the mines of Potosi, Bolivia, between 1500 and 1800

The human cost of this mine is due to the harsh and dangerous working conditions. During the colonial era, the Spanish used forced labour to extract the silver. Native American labourers were preferred due to the high mortality rate among African slaves. The use of mercury to extract silver from low-grade ores also led to mercury poisoning among the workers. Other causes of death included cave-ins, overwork, hunger, and disease.

The mortality rate was so high that the entire population of Potosi would have needed to be replaced every five years. This has led some historians to question the estimate of 8 million deaths, suggesting that the true figure may be closer to 1-2 million. However, this would still be an astronomical number of deaths, and it is clear that the working conditions in the mine were deadly.

Today, the mine continues to be a dangerous workplace. Around 15,000 miners work in Potosi, many without health insurance or pension benefits, and the use of basic colonial-era tools continues. The primary cause of death among miners today is silicosis, an incurable lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust.

The Cerro Rico mine is still operational and dangerous; it is estimated that 168 workers die every year

The Cerro Rico mine in Bolivia, also known as the "mountain that eats men", has been in operation since the 16th century. It is estimated that eight million people died in the mines of Potosi between 1500 and 1800, with many more having perished since. The dangerous working conditions in the mine have not improved much over the centuries. The peak of the mountain has been slowly collapsing as a result of constant extraction, posing a grave threat to the miners.

The mine is still operational and is estimated to employ around 15,000 workers. However, the working conditions remain poor and dangerous. Miners often lack protective equipment, and many contract silicosis, an incurable lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust. The life expectancy of these miners is around 40 years.

The dangers of working in the Cerro Rico mine are not limited to the health hazards posed by inhaling dust and toxic gases. The peak of the mountain is slowly collapsing due to the extensive extraction, and there is a constant risk of cave-ins and tunnel collapses. The miners also face the risk of electrocution and work with tools that have changed little since colonial times.

The cooperative sector that runs the mine enjoys favourable tax treatment and exemption from labour and environmental regulations. This has led to a lack of investment in safety measures and basic infrastructure. As a result, it is estimated that 168 workers die in the Cerro Rico mine every year due to accidents and health complications caused by working in the mines.

The high death toll in the Cerro Rico mine is a tragic consequence of the dangerous working conditions and the lack of regulatory oversight. The situation is made worse by the economic necessity that drives people to work in the mines despite the risks. It is clear that immediate action is needed to improve safety measures and working conditions in the mine to prevent further loss of life.

Silicosis, an incurable lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust, is the biggest killer of miners in Bolivia

Bolivia's Cerro Rico, or "Rich Mountain", is a mountain in the Andes near the Bolivian city of Potosí. It is known as the "mountain that eats men" due to the large number of workers who have died in its mines over the centuries.

Mining in Cerro Rico is a dangerous profession. The peak of the mountain has been slowly collapsing as miners have removed so much from its interior. There are entire graveyards dedicated to those who have died in mine collapses.

The miners of Cerro Rico face many risks, including cave-ins, toxic gases, electrocution, and overwork. The work is made even more dangerous by the lack of protective equipment. Many miners work without breathing masks, which means they inhale dust from the mining process that can lead to silicosis, an incurable lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust. This is the biggest occupational hazard and the biggest killer of miners in Bolivia. The disease causes scarring of the lungs and makes it difficult to breathe. Miners often die young, with a life expectancy of around 40 years.

The conditions in the mines are a result of poor regulation and inadequate funding. The cooperative sector, which makes up 88% of mining employment in Bolivia, is exempt from paying taxes and is not subject to labour and environmental regulations. This has led to unsafe working conditions, with miners working with outdated tools and little to no safety equipment.

The Bolivian government has been reluctant to improve conditions due to the economic importance of the mining industry, especially in Potosí, where the sector employs around 15,000 miners. However, the government's failure to address these issues has led to preventable deaths and illnesses, with silicosis being the leading cause of death among miners in Bolivia.

Children as young as 11 work in the mines in Bolivia, earning almost double the country's minimum monthly wage

Bolivia's Cerro Rico mountain, also known as the "mountain that eats men", has been a site of silver mining for centuries. The mountain is located in the city of Potosí and has been in operation for over 400 years. It is estimated that between the 16th and 18th centuries, 80% of the world's silver supply came from this mine alone. The city of Potosí became one of the largest cities in the New World due to the mining operations in the mountain.

Despite the dangers and poor working conditions, mining remains one of the few ways for locals to make a living. Children as young as 11 work in the mines, earning up to $300 a week, almost double Bolivia's monthly minimum wage. They brave toxic gases and the risk of tunnel cave-ins to provide for their families. Young girls also face the additional threat of violent, predatory males.

The Bolivian government, with UNICEF support, has implemented measures to reduce child labour in the mines. UNICEF's Thomas Nybo reports that there aren't too many children working in the Cerro Rico mine due to the dangerous conditions. Most children work in mines that are less deep and easier. However, a joint study by UNICEF, the National Institute of Statistics, and the International Labour Organization in 2005 found that there were approximately 7,000 children working in gold and silver mines in the Bolivian cities of Potosí, Oruro, and La Paz.

The hazardous conditions in the mines include claustrophobic spaces and thin air. The constant inhalation of dust has led to many miners contracting silicosis, an incurable lung disease. Miners also risk exposure to toxic gases and possible tunnel cave-ins. The life expectancy of a miner in Cerro Rico is around 40 years.

The mountain is on the brink of collapse due to centuries of mining. In 2011, a sinkhole in the top of the mountain had to be filled with ultra-light cement, and the summit continues to sink a few centimetres every year. UNESCO added Cerro Rico and Potosí to its list of endangered sites in 2014 due to "uncontrolled mining operations" that risk "degrading the site".

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