Potosi - the city of silver

Potosi was once one of the biggest cities in the world. In 1650 it had 160.000 residents. More than Paris or London at that time. In the 17th century 60% of all silver im the world came from Potosi. From the rich mountain (Cerro rico). Today there are only some minerals left in the mountain, but in a way lower concentration than back in the days. Today there are 1500 people working in the mountain and rough conditions. The only machinery they use are drills and dynamite. Without any safety regulations and a lot of climbing there are a lot of people dying there. This year already 50. But at least I didn't see kids working there, which at least means that it's not too common.
They push the mining carts by hand and without any breaks. The support for the tunnels is more than questionable. The carts are loaded with shovels and only sometimes they use air filters. They usually work in the mine until the age of 40 because their body is not capable anymore or they get a lung disease. They chew coca leaves and mix alcohol of 96% with water or lemonade and use it as a normal drink. It's incredibly what kind of scrambling they do as a part of their job.
Back in the days the Spanish told them that the devil lives in the mountain and will be mad and if they don't work productively. To please the devil they donate alcohol, coca leaves and cigarettes everytime they enter.
In the city the Spanish were making coins. To melt the minerals they needed giant furnaces. Which were operated by slaves sleeping and living in the same room as the furnaces. Obviously they didn't have a high life expectancy. A very impressive cityRead more