The Silver Mines, $c. 61 



Art. VI. — A description of the Silver Mines of the Cerro de 

 Pasco, and the Journey to them across the Andes. By 

 John Cairns, Esq. 



[Read before the Institute, 1st June, 1859.] 



The Silver Mines of the Cerro de Pasco are situated about 50 

 leagues from Lima, beyond the Andes, which the traveller 

 has to cross at an elevation of about 1600 to 1700 feet above 

 the level of the sea. This peak, or ridge, being surmounted, 

 you gradually descend to the Pampas, and at a distance of 

 twenty leagues you reach the Cerro, or mountain of Pasco, at 

 the summit of which, in a hollow basin surrounded on all 

 sides by lofty hills, are the silver mines, in lat. 10°. 48' S., 

 long. 76° 23' W. 



The works of the English Mining Company, under the 

 superintendence of Mr. Jump, one of the partners, form a 

 prominent feature in the picture below you, and the white- 

 washed buildings remind one strongly of the large printing 

 or bleaching establishments seen at home. These works 

 are instituted for the crushing and amalgamation of the ore 

 which is brought from the mines, almost close at hand. 



I had fully expected that the ore obtained in silver mines 

 would display, in some degree, the pure metal ; but in this I 

 was disappointed, on being shown large heaps of yellowish 

 brown earth, very like gravel, in the substance of which is the 

 hidden treasure. Occasionally in very rich ore native silver if 

 visible, but veins of such are not often met with. 



Like the Burra Burra and its copper treasures, the Cerrc 

 is almost one mass of ores of varied values, in great variety 

 of combination, amongst which are to be found silver, copper, 

 lead, arsenic, mercury, and sometimes gold. Notwith- 

 standing the appliances of English machinery in these works, 

 Mr. Jump seems to consider his operations very imperfect, 

 and expressed his belief that in the refuse, which he reserved 

 in a large pit or reservoir, there was still left as much silver 

 as had already been extracted, the imperfect process only 

 removing about 50 per cent, of the actual contents. 



Messrs. Jump and Conroy's works being only a short dis- 

 tance from the principal mines, I was conducted to the latter 

 by one of his staff, and introduced to an overseer, who 

 accompanied me into the mines, after first arming me with 

 a thick cap for my head, and furnishing me with a long iron 

 clasp holding a candle. 



