Silver mining and export from Potosí in the Spanish Empire (1545–1700)

1. Silver discovered at Cerro Rico, Potosí

   Jan 1, 1545Labels: Cerro Rico, Potos, Silver discovery

   • Cerro Rico
   • USGS

2. Potosí founded as a mining town

   Jan 1, 1545Labels: Potos, Mining town, Upper Peru

   • Potos
   • UNESCO

3. Early boom driven by high-grade surface ores

   Jan 1, 1550Labels: Surface ores, Miners

   • Potos

4. Mercury deposits opened at Huancavelica

   Jan 1, 1564Labels: Huancavelica, Mercury deposit

   • EHP
   • Huancavelica

5. Spanish Crown takes control of Huancavelica mercury

   Jan 1, 1570Labels: Spanish Crown, Huancavelica

   • Huancavelica
   • EHP

6. Mercury amalgamation adopted at Potosí

   Jan 1, 1572Labels: Mercury amalgamation, Potos

   • EHP
   • Patio

7. Toledo expands the Potosí mita labor draft

   Jan 1, 1573Labels: Viceroy Toledo, Mita system, Potos

   • Mit a
   • El Pa s

8. Royal mint established to coin Potosí silver

   Jan 1, 1575Labels: Royal mint, Potos

   • ANS
   • Potos Mint

9. Potosí becomes a major global city

   Jan 1, 1600Labels: Potos, Global city

   • UNESCO MoW
   • UNESCO

10. Barba develops faster “cazo” (pan) amalgamation

    Jan 1, 1609Labels: lvaro Barba, Cazo amalgamation

    • Pan
    • Barba

11. Barba publishes *Arte de los metales*

    Jan 1, 1640Labels: Arte de, lvaro Barba

    • Brill
    • Arts Culture

12. Output declines from late-1500s peak levels

    Jan 1, 1660Labels: Production decline, Potos

    • A New World

13. Potosí’s silver economy persists into 1700

    Jan 1, 1700Labels: Potos, Silver economy

    • Potos
    • A New World