Historic maps used in new geological and engineering evaluation of the Santa Bárbara mine, Huancavelica Mercury District, Perú

The famous Santa Bárbara mine of the Huancavelica mercury district, central Perú, is briefly described for geology and mining history. Examination of historic underground maps from the 18th century and new surface geological mapping demonstrates that the ore of the Santa Bárbara mine was controlled by a major north-south oriented fault. The alteration assemblage accompanying the cinnabar is described, and timing relations given to show the deposit formed at about 7 million years ago. The historic maps are compared to the major underground mine collapses, production, and interplay of mine administration with politics between Huancavelica, Lima, and Madrid. In particular, features of a 1742 map and a French-drafted mine map from approximately the later part of the 18th century are discussed in terms of mine development. We also present a brief update of mining activities and production during the 20th century. Discussion of mine cultural features preserved today illustrate the Huancavelica district as being one of the world's more important historic mining camps.
La famosa mina de Santa B‡arbara (Distrito del mercurio de Huancavelica, zona central de Perœu) se describe brevemente en este artí’culo a travŽés de su geolog’ia y de su historia minera. El examen de mapas histo—ricos del siglo XVIII y su comparaci—on con el nuevo mapa geol—ógico del lugar, demuestra que el mineral de la mina de Santa B‡árbara estᇠligado a una falla de orientació—n Norte-Sur. TambieŽn se describe la alteraci—on del encajante que acompaña al mercurio. Por otra parte, se puede llegar a afirmar que el dep—osito se formo— hace unos 7 millones de a–ños. Asimismo, se comparan los mapas histo—ricos, considerando los derrumbes, producci—on, interaccio—n y administracio—n de la mina subterra‡nea y su influencia en la poli’tica entre Huancavelica, Lima y Madrid. Se presenta tambiŽen una breve actualizaci—on de las actividades y producci—on de la mina durante el siglo XX.