Representatives of The Chamber of Mines of Peru visited a fascinating museum in the city of Oruro.
Officials from The Chamber of Mines of Peru were present at the Museum Mining of the Mineshaft, located in Oruro, Bolivia, where they were able to learn about mining cultural traditions and rituals practiced in the mines.
The museum is an innovative space located in the subsoil of the Pie de Gallo hill, in the Sanctuary of the “Mamita Candila” (Candila Mommy), Virgen del Socavón (Our Lady of the Mineshaft).
The mine opening is a long stand where you can access this museum, which exhibits the Tio de la Mina (Uncle of the Mine, a statue with the figure of a devilish face); as well as the representation of Nina Nina, who according to legend, was a thief who stole from the rich and distributed the loot to the poor.
In the first sector of the museum you can see samples of the minerals that exist in the department, as well as other mining implements that were used in the past.
In the second sector of the Museum of the Mineshaft is the callapeo, a typical mining safety timbering in mining exploitation, as well as different types of drilling machines used during the 19th century. There is also a collection of 20th Century Mine drawings, and implements typical of a miner.
In the third sector is the museum bifurcation gallery, where a mining concession drawing from 1900, printing machinery from the early 20th century, as well as other artifacts that were used at the time can be seen.
In the fourth sector, we highlight the clock of the Tin Baron, Hochschild, as a true relic, and a bin with mineral load with its respective extraction trolley on rails.
In Bolivia, beliefs and rituals in mining have a long history. For example, the Uncle of the Mine, who “accompanies” the miner throughout the day and, as the story goes, “sees everything” and “knows everything”.
In the shadow of the mineshaft, the architects of the subsoil always work with tomorrow in mind. Cults to the gods of the interior of the earth seek to resolve the uncertainty and insecurity inherent to mining work. Those who work in the bowels of the earth make a daily pact with the gods for the well-being of their families and their work.
