Bulky business

Anna Ellis

THE Almeria Port Authority (APA) has increased solid bulk traffic by 5 per cent in the first half of the year compared to the first six months of last year.

In total, the ports of Almeria and Carboneras have moved 2,010,851 tons until the equator of 2023, with increases of 2.28 per cent and 8.76 per cent, respectively.

Gypsum is the main product, with a weight of 72 per cent of all solid bulk.

The export of this mineral from January to June amounted to 1,445,228 tons which is 4 per cent more than in the same period of 2022. The main destinations are the United States, Canada, Brazil and the United Kingdom.

The figures for June, which is the last month for which closed data are available, have contributed to the positive balance in gypsum shipments during the first half of the year.

Only in the sixth month of the year, 38.5 per cent more mineral has been exported than in June 2022, mainly thanks to the movement in the coal dock, where the growth has been 546.86 per cent.

THE mayor of Vera, Alfonso Garci a recently paid a visit to the galleries of the foundation of San Andrés, located in Vera Playa.

The route was guided by mining heritage expert Juan Antonio Soler Jódar who explained all about the operation and distribution of the ancient lead foundry which was in operation between 1872 and 1912.

During the tour, the mayor was able to check the good state of preservation of most of their galleries which can represent a huge tourist potential for the municipality.

The interest of these remains, apart from its excellent location perfect for tourist use, is the fact that it has all the characteristic elements of a typical lead smelter of the late 19th and early 20th century.

It is true that it has lost its main chimney, which was circular in section, but it still has several secondary chimneys.

The foundry also has some impressive smoke condensation galleries which make it the absolute record for the length of a condensation gallery in a smelter of this type and reach an impressive 4.2 kilometres in total length.