Mina do Bijoca

Useful Information

Location:	R. Padre Messias Passos, 53, Antonio Dias, Ouro Preto, MG 35400-000. (-20.385596, -43.499672)
Open:	All year daily 9-17. Night visit by appointment. [2022]
Fee:	Adults BRL 40, Children BRL 20, Students BRL 20, Seniors BRL 20, Locals BRL 10. [2022]
Classification:	Gold Mine
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:
Guided tours:	L=400 m.
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Mina do Bijoca, R. Padre Messias Passos, 53, Antonio Dias, Ouro Preto, MG 35400-000, Cell: +55-31-98563-5035, Tel: +55-31-3350-4523. E-mail:
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

18th century

mine opened.

Geology

Ouro Prêto sits right on an outcrop of banded iron formation. This formation is a sedimentary rock with many layers of iron ore, often altered to iron oxide especially ochre. There are also copper deposits, which sometimes are transformed to malachite. The dark rocks were the reason for its name Ouro Prêto which means black gold as a reference to the dark colour of the local gold, which contains a lot of iron oxides. However, the gold is mostly bound to gold bearing quartz veins, not to the iron.

Description

Mina do Bijoca is one of the more professional show mine venues at the town. They actually have a facebook page and an email address. The mine is located in the forest above the Antonio Dias quarter. To get there you have to walk up a narrow road which is not suitable for cars. The entrance building is renovated in a flashy yellow, but poorly signposted, simply follow the Padre Messias Passos road uphill. This quarter is a bit high then the rest of the town and offers a great view on the city center.

Visitors are equipped with helmets, the mine is well developed and well lit. Beneath the regular tours they also offer night visits.