Mineral del Monte

About

After the Conquistador subjugation of Mexico, geologists discovered valuable minerals, especially silver, in the area around Mineral del Monte. It is conservatively estimated that 6% of the world’s silver mined since 1500AD originated here. Initially Ameraindian and African slaves were put to work but in later years problems with flooding and inefficiencies caused a steep decline in production. Then the Cornish arrived, bringing expert skills and equipment fresh from the British Industrial Revolution, revitalising the silver mining industry for the next century. Allow two hours for a tour of the informative Mine Acosta museum to learn more. Cornish influence is clearly visible - many older houses have sloping roofs and high chimneys, the beautiful church in the town square has one English style tower, and there’s an elegant English cemetery (Panteon Inglés). Their lasting legacy however is the Cornish pasty, albeit a cocktail version with dozens of different flavours, and some producers have taken their products nationwide.