P5250666

Day 26: Potosi - Zinc Mines

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May 24th 2011
This morning we thought we were doing a tour of one of the silver mines in Potosi, but it turned out they no longer mine silver and it was a zinc mine. On the way there, we stopped and bought dynamite for the miners who we would see on the tour. Our guide kitted us up with really hot yellow pants and jackets, hard hats and gumboots, then we headed into the mine. The tour was about 2 hours, and we ... read more

South America » Bolivia » Potosí Department » Potosi

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Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simon BOLIVAR, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825; much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of nearly 200 coups and counter-coups. Comparatively democratic civilian rule was established in 1... ... read more