Flue from El Boleo copper smelter at sea level in Santa Rosalia, to chimney on hill in background. SEE DESCRIPTION FOR DETAILS.
In 1885 the El Bolea mining company were granted a 99-year concession for copper mining around the town of Santa Rosalia in Baja California Sur. By 1895 they were producing over 80% of Mexico's copper exports but at an enormous cost in terms of workers' health and living conditions - between 1901-3 there were 1,400 recorded deaths. To improve conditions the chimney from the smelter was moved a kilometre out of town, connected to the works by this flue along the ground. The smelter finally closed in 1985 after the copper deposits were exhausted. The town is now experiencing a renaissance as a centre for tourism and adventure sports.
Size: 5394px × 3529px
Location: Santa Rosalia, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Photo credit: © sjag / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: abandoned, america, american, archaeology, archeology, baja, bolea, boleo, california, central, chimney, chimneys, copper, el, flue, flues, historic, historical, history, industrial, industry, latin, mexican, mexico, pollution, rosalia, santa, site, sites, smelter, smelters, smelting, travel
