San José Silver Mine

Mina San José

Useful Information

Location:	Oruro City, Cercado Province, Oruro Department. (17°57'40"S, 67°7'30"W)
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Classification:	Silver Mine
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
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As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1992	mine closed.
2002	reopened on a small scale for specimen.

Description

San José Mine is famous for the world's best andorites and plagionites, and good specimens of zinkenite, franckeite, and stannite. The mine is located at the western side of the 150,000 inhabitant city of Oruro, on of the two classical silver mountains of South America. The other one is also in Bolivia at Potosí. This mine produced huge amounts of high grade ore and numerous extraordinary minerals. It is a working mine, although mining is on a low level, as it is only rentable with a wide range of by products, which includes copper, minerals for collectors, and mine tours. The tours are generally offered as half or full day excursions by various tour operators. It is also part of many guided Bolivia travels.