Sometimes called Huanchaca Mine, although strictly speaking Huanchaca was the neighboring settlement where the ore beneficiation plant was located. Located 20km ENE of town of Uyuni. Most veins, including the Veta San Tomas, Veta Corpus, Veta Pacamayo, Veta Animas, are emplaced in propylitized, sericitized, silicified and pyritized portions of a 4km wide dacitic stock. The Veta Tajo cuts the silicified and pyritized red clay country rock. Discovered in 1833. Workings reached 1,100m below the surface, and became increasingly difficult due to the eruption of copious underground hot springs with 60 degree C water and large quantities of carbon dioxide gas. By the 1990s most of the underground workings had been abandoned and only a small amount of gypsum was being produced, and some reworking of the vast old dump material.
Refs.: (in part):
Dana 7:I: 380, 435
Rocks & Min.: 17:129
Min.Rec.: 32:477.
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Map Reference: 20°23'21"S , 66°41'53"W
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