Mexico's Camino Real Mines Part II: this Road Leads to Silver Riches

摘要

In Part I of this article, I described several of the mining areas along Mexico's El Camino Real. It is no accident that a number of early Spanish silver mines, some of which have evolved into fine recent specimen sources, occur within hailing distance of this important early road. The invading Spaniards enlarged the road to reach the mines, sources of Spain's newfound wealth. Some of these mines have been producing silver for 400 years or more. And as metal recovery techniques improved, they have been important sources of other metals, as well.