Inside the mine | Things to do
The city of Potosí in Bolivia is famous for having been exploited systematically by the Spanish settlers in search of the silver with which they financed their campaign in the new world. Mining has been this population's main economic activity for hundreds of years, although it did not benefit miners but those who controlled this source of wealth. At present the mines are a tourist attraction. There are agencies that organize short tours of the mines for those who want to know what life is like underground. It is recommended to hire only authorized agencies to make sure safety requirements are met.
Tours begins at the miners’ market buying gifts for mine workers (coca, soda, cigarettes and alcohol) and dynamite. The agency that organizes the tour should provide every person with the necessary equipment to go down into the mines (a helmet with a lantern and battery and appropriate clothes) and recommendations to be kept in mind once inside. Once in the mine you can visit one or more levels. Remember that one will need to crawl from one level to the other or climb ladders leaning against the walls. Elevators hardly exist inside the mines. One can see how miners work under incredibly precarious conditions. Gifts bought in the market will be distributed according to the guide's directions.
The tour ends with offerings made to “El Tío”, the god of the underground world that protects miners, and to Pachamama, mother Earth. Both the god and goddess see that the mineral is not drained so that miners can continue to earn their living. The offering consists of coca leaves, cigarettes and alcohol. Each one of the visitors should take some and give the rest to El Tío and Pachamama. Not to do that would mean offending the miners.
Once outside the mines the guides will explode some dynamite for your amusement.
Although tours may differ, the activities described are common to all. Those who are not familiar with how hard a miner’s life is would be shocked by the things the guides and miners will tell them and the experience they will have inside the mines. Confinement, dust, scarce and rarefied air will make you think how kind life has been to you. Such a moving experience is advisable only for those who do not suffer from claustrophobia or heart diseases and can cope with strong emotions.
