CompuServe Messages

Steve, The Valenciana is still working. At the moment, one of the Coop geologists is working full-time there to block out new reserves, but they are hoisting out about 100 mine trolleys of ore daily on a one shift per day basis, 6 days a week. A quick historical note: after labour disputes in the early 40's, the (american) Guanajuato Mines and Reduction Co abandoned various mines and the Mexican Gov't sponsored their formation into what I believe was the first Cooperative in Mexico. Management was entrusted to Ing. Terrazas, who turned a shoe-string operation into a successful mining business. When he retired, tha Cooperative management went into a decline, technically and financially, leading to petitions for bankruptcy from creditors 2 years ago. Luckily, closure was politically unthinkable and pressure from above led to radical changes in the management team. Excellent reserves were identified and work concentrated on the Rayas mine, where an extremely rich shoot (Clavo de Rayas) was worked on a 3 shift basis. This bonanza stabilized cash-flow and the Coop is now in good health with a promising future. New deposits have been discovered NE of the Valenciana, which should lead to extending the mine into a new area, incidentally reopening the Guadalupe shaft (do you remember the abandoned mine on the haul road to La Luz with flying buttresses shaped liked elephants' trunks?). However, the Valenciana still looks the same: rather run-down, with tumble-down buildings. The mining school is on a real downer at the moment and I don't think it will make it. In 93-94 academic year there were 2 mine geology students in their final year, with none in the lower levels. Whilst mine engineers used to be assured good jobs on graduating, nowadays they have a hard time finding jobs. The mineral collection, with a lot of specimens from the end of the 1800's is in a similar state and I am sure the better specimens are being "removed". It's all very sad. There is no student exchange scheme with other mine schools, unlike the rest of Guanajuato University, which is flourishing. The "momias" (mummies from the local cemetery) is as big a tourist attraction as ever and there is a big turnover in the land office aspect. However, this is one type of mineralization that turns me off! You can now go down the original entrance to the Valenciana mine, known as the "Boca Mina", dating from about 1760, just behind the Valenciana church. It is gradually being dug out by the Coop and the entrance fee includes a hard hat. For the moment, it goes down about 150 feet and covers a distance of 300 feet. You can't pick up specimens on the Valenciana haul road any longer, although it's still a dirt track. I go down the local mines quite frequently and you can't even pick up specimens down there, the miners are so efficient at collecting. A miner gets about us$40-50 per week and a half decent acanthite will get him the same. As long as tonnages are maintained, the Coop does not forbid miners to bring out crystals. Otherwise, Guanajuato is still my dream town and I am hoping to buy a plot/house where I can watch the sun go down over what must be one of the most beautiful places in Mexico. … Chris