THE RIO TINTO RIVER BASIN: A UNIQUE SPOT The Tinto river forms part of the Guadiana Basin. Crossing dehesa meadows of Holm oaks and cork oaks, pine trees and eucalypts, it reaches the Huelva estuary where it merges with the river Odiel, and then flows into the Atlantic Ocean. In some sections the river forms spectacular meanders, creating almost totally closed loops. The largest open cast mines in Europe can be found in its high river basin. The geological materials and the mining activity over the years in this area have created a stunningly beautiful landscape.
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Ore and man have created a singular landscape Mining in the Huelva Districts was so intense that the region has been completely transformed to the landscapes we see today. Although mining is an ancient activity, it was the open cast mining, which started in the 19th century that radically transformed the land: hills that became huge holes –the so-called pits– and hillocks that have grown in size as a result of the build-up of waste material in huge piles, known as tips.
The deep red of the river Tinto The waters of the river Tinto flow along one of the largest deposits of massive sulphides on the planet. As these materials dissolved in the water, a “natural contamination” took place, which was increased by the mining operations, thus making the river a great sight to behold. The Tinto water is extremely acid and oxygen-poor. The iron salts have dyed the water red, thus giving it its name. The banks of the river have been stained a deep ochre colour as a result of the decantation of sulphate salts and form yellow sandy beaches when the level of the river drops in the summer.
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The river Tinto in history
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Since ancient times the river Tinto has been linked to desolation and the absence of life. Thanks to its colour, classical writers including Strabo or Avienus placed the Erebus lagoon, considered by the ancient Greeks as the entrance to Hades, the Hell of classical mythology, in this region. In the Middle Ages, historians referred to the river Tinto by the rarity of its waters and its use in obtaining dyes and colour fasteners (ferrous sulphate, alum) for fabrics. In the Modern Ages, the river Tinto was again considered as a dead river, lifeless and contaminated. Nonetheless, this idea changed after recent studies at the National Astrology Centre in collaboration with NASA, demonstrated that the Tinto, far from being dead, possesses an abundant and varied microscopic life, unique on Plant Earth.
“Look Platero, what they have done to the river with those mines, those bad hearts and bad politics. This afternoon its red water can hardly catch here and there, all covered with violet and yellow mud, the setting sun, and through its bed nothing can sail but toy boats. What misery!... The copper from Río Tinto has poisoned everything. And thank goodness, Platero, that with the pollution of the rich, the poor may eat the miserable fish of today... But the feluccas, the brigs, the catboats have all been lost. Juan Ramón Jiménez Platero and I.Chap. XCV. The River.
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A PARADISE OF ORES IN THE PROVINCE OF HUELVA
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The lands of the Mining Basin lie within the Iberian Pyrite Belt. It is the largest massive sulphide reserve in the world, and covers a wide belt from the centre of Andalusia to the Portuguese region of Aljustrel. Mining in the Pyrite Belt focused on the mining of metals including copper, zinc, lead, silver and gold. Deposits of manganese and fluorite have also been successfully mined.
History of mining in the Basin Prehistory and protohistory One of the earliest metallurgical works in the province of Huelva is described as being in Cuchillares (CampofrĂo), during the Copper Age. This ore was the first to be mined as it was easy to extract and work. During the Bronze Age (1800 b. C.- 875 b. C.) copper mining continued. It was mixed with tin from the Northwest of Spain to produce bronze. Deposits such as the Cerro de las Tres Ă guilas (Riotinto mines) were of importance at that time. Silver mining went on to replace copper mining as the most important, reaching its peak in the first half of the first millennium before our times, coinciding with the period referred to by classical sources as the Tartessus (9th century b. C. - 530 b. C.), a culture developed by contact with the Phoenicians and Greeks. The silver ore extracted in the Riotinto river basin was taken to the coast along two routes: Across Escacena del Campo (now the Tejada la Vieja deposit) towards Almonte, where the metallurgic process took place and the silver was taken by sea to the Phoenician port of Gades (Cadiz). The second route was through the town of Niebla, towards the port of Huelva. At the end of the 6th century b. C. there was a fall in the demand for silver from the oriental countries, as it was around this time that the Laurium mines, in southern Greece, were discovered and mined.
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Silver mining and trading were the economic base of Tartessus. During this period important towns dedicated to mining and silver metalwork were founded: Cerro Salom贸n (Riotinto Mines), Chinfl贸n (Zalamea La Real) and in particular Corta del Lago (Riotinto Mines).
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Ancient History From the middle of the 5th century b. C. a new period started called the Turdetani, following on from Tartessus, which came to an end with the arrival of the Carthaginians after 241 b. C., after the First Punic War. Under the command of Amilcar Barca, they came to the Iberian Peninsula in search of resources, mainly silver, that they could no longer extract in the Sicilian colonies. From the year 31 b. C., the Pax Romana allowed the development of any economic activity. Mining, especially of silver, was of great importance, as this metal was used to mint the coins used to pay the legions. Consequently, after the year 27 b. C. the mines went from being run by private enterprise to being under the management of the tax collectors under the guidance of the Roman army. The Romans introduced a number of technical innovations and new extracting systems, including galleries, extraction stopes or shafts; drainage systems using inclined galleries, pulley and bucket systems, Ctesibio’s pump, Archimedes’ screw, lighting systems (skylights), metallurgic processes, etc.
Medieval and modern history With the arrival of the Barbarians at the end of the 5th century, mining operations were abandoned, and the mines became family-run operations for the elaboration of simple elements, in particular from copper. During the Islamic period, the main ore activity included the mining of iron, copper and zinc sulphates (ferrous sulphate or copperas). Copperas was used as a mordant to fix the colours in fabrics. When the Christians conquered the territory, the ownership of the mines passed to the Archbishopric of Seville, who received tithes in the form of this ferrous sulphate or copperas. The mining operations described in the Islamic age must have continued in the Medieval and modern times, although hardly any documentary references can be found.
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Contemporary History In 1849, and after several attempts in the 18th and 19th centuries to resume copper mining through concessions, the Royal Treasury decided to mine the deposits directly without using intermediaries. In the end, in 1873 the State sold the mines to a foreign consortium: the RĂo Tinto Company Limited (RTCL). This company, registered in Britain, was formed by a number of businesses, banks and railway construction companies from Germany and Britain, including German businessmen living in Huelva.
At this time the mines occupied an area of almost 13 square kilometres. The arrival of RTCL at RĂo Tinto served to boost the mining operations in the Basin, as successive new technological improvements were introduced to the mining systems.
Extraction system based on large open-air extractions. This method is used when the deposits are wide and close to the surface, and the ratio between the sterile material and the ore to be mined is profitable.
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Open-cast or open-pit mining
Types of mining and technology From the second half of the 19th century, the mining area of the province of Huelva became the “Dorado Andaluz� (Golden Andalusian), as the mines were essential for supplying the European chemical industry. Therefore, new mining systems were introduced, permitting an increase in production and improved exploitation of the deposits. Three mining systems were used:
System based on the mining of the sulphate mass with a high copper content using large extraction chambers (not at risk of collapse thanks to the hardness of the material) and vertical shafts. The ore, once extracted, is taken outside along inclined planes.
Underground mining
Overhand or sublevel stopes
Extraction system based on the use of horizontal rising tunnels, with fill-in of the spaces left after the extraction of the ore. This method is used when the deposits are narrow and the ratio between the sterile material and the ore makes open-cast mining prohibitive.
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To obtain copper from copper pyrites and to obtain a product with sufficient grade (percentage of pure copper, ready for smelting), a series of metallurgic techniques are required. There are essentially three steps: Calcination in the famous ore piles known as “teleras”. This technique consists in the open-air roasting of large quantities – of 1800 to 2300 metric quintals – of copper ore, using plant matter for fuel. Artificial cementation. Once the material has been calcined, it undergoes a series of regular washes or “beneficiations” in cementation tanks. This results in a “shell” in the form of small balls with a high percentage of copper. Calcination-smelting in furnace. The shell is calcined in prismatic furnaces measuring about two metres high for six to eight days. A type of cement is produced which is then treated in cupels, constructed to refine the back copper.
Mineral calcination At the Riotinto Mines a large number of smoky piles burned day and night; each one was kept alight for five to six months. This zone became known as Lucifer’s Valley. The health and environmental problems arising from the burning piles led to the first social and trades union actions of the miners’ and farmers’ groups, organised in the Anti-smoke League. This organisation called a strike for the 4 February 1888 and a huge demonstration took place to protest against the burning piles of the Río Tinto Company Limited, with more than 14,000 people gathered together outside Riotinto Town Hall. The Civil Governor’s decision to suppress the demonstration using harsh measures had tragic consequences: over 200 deaths. Since then, 1888 has been remembered as the “the year of the shooting”.
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Mining camps Mining camps shared a series of common features, including their vicinity to the different faces, or the “mining barrack� style of accommodation, built by the mining companies, with small square bungalows, with little living space. Unlike the rural populations of the 19th century, the camps had access to many necessary services: company store, casino, school, chapel or church and medical dispensary. The same company provided, and controlled, these services so that any profits were returned to the company.
The steam engine: a catalyst for development
Open-cast mining would not have been possible without the steam engine, the heart of locomotives. In fact, the steam engine was invented by two mining engineers. The railway permitted the transport of materials in the quantities and at the speeds required in accordance with the magnitude of the production at the pits. This world revolution had a significant impact in Huelva: in just a few years, there was a dense network of railway lines built by British companies. More than 1000 kilometres of railway tracks, a multitude of stations, loading bays, bridges and tunnels enabled the ore to be transported to the different ports along the coast. In addition to the ore, the Huelva Mining District Railway Lines also carried other goods and a significant number of passengers: one million passengers a year, a figure which would be inconceivable nowadays. These figures are an indication of the importance of mining in the development and organisation of the region. The close relationship of the region with the mines conditioned the development of the rail network in the province and to a considerable extent, its model for future communications.
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Working conditions in the mine At the end of the 19th century, mining in the province of Huelva had reached such scales that it became known as the Copper California. It generated a large number of jobs which, proportionally, has never been seen in Andalusia. Tens of thousands of immigrants from different corners of the Peninsula came to find work in the different mining jobs offered by the companies. Within twenty years, from 1877 to 1897, the population in the Mining Districts had doubled. In the underground mines, in addition to the claustrophobic situation of the galleries, miners were subjected to extreme work conditions: temperatures of over 50Âş C, dust and sulphurous gases (pongs). These resulted in illnesses including the serious silicosis, in addition to major burns on skin injuries and throat problems, for those who found some relief in a glass of aguardiente with a little water or manguara. The conditions of work in the surface mines were also tough. This was the case in the work around the burning piles, due to the emissions of sulphurous and arsenical gases.
The work at the mine was plentiful and varied but, for the most part, involved huge risks and working conditions which were often unfair: Blasters: responsible for blasting the rocks in order to start extracting in the faces Drill runners: responsible for drilling through the rocks with their drills. Chaveteros: assistants to the drill runners. Zafreros: responsible for loading the ore on the railway trucks. Barcaleadores: workers, mainly women and children, who carry the ore in esparto containers on their heads. Timbermen: responsible for installing the timber structures of the galleries. Lamplighters: responsible for the lamps in the underground mine. Scalers: suspended from a rope along the slopes of the pits, they use a rod to knock down any rocks which are in danger of falling. Assistant: responsible for holding the scalers’ ropes. Track-layers: assemble the tracks along which the trucks run. Counters: responsible for keeping a record of the trucks pushed by each miner; usually carried out by the older or weaker miners who are no longer able to cope with the harsh conditions of the other tasks in the mine. Guardiùas: security guards, mostly from Galicia. Lathe operators: responsible for manufacturing the spare parts for all the machinery. Engine drivers, guards and pointsmen for the mine trains...
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Bastion of the workers’ struggle The groups of mine workers, supported by the trade unions of the time, formed strong associations in the Mining Districts of Huelva. The strikes for social and labour improvements took place in the early part of the 20th century. Some, such as that of 1920, which lasted more than six months, became true milestones in the history of workers’ demands in Spain. During the decline and final closure of the mining activity, at the end of the last century, the mining associations, as before, did not remain passive in the face of their destination. The workers came out on to the streets and claimed, once again, their right to work.
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FROM ROMAN MINING TO THE 20TH CENTURY INDUSTRY The first known mining of this deposit was in the Roman period, as can be seen from the presence of Roman galleries, cuniculi, or the Roman fort on Padre Caro hill. The mine at Pe単a de Hierro was exploited from the beginning of the second half of the 19th century until the mid 20th century. The name (Iron crag) comes from the existence of a large ferruginous crest crowning the Pit. The systematic mining of the Pe単a was started by various Spanish companies in 1853. The heyday of the mine coincided with the arrival of foreign companies, between 1886 and 1955. Then it returned to the hands of a Spanish company, and stopped operations in the early 60s, no longer being profitable. The final stage in the evolution of Pe単a de Hierro began in 1987, when it was incorporated into the assets of the RioTinto Foundation.
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Around the mine: a network of installations The extraction systems Modern mining of the Peña de Hierro deposit began in the mid 19th century. Raise and pit systems were used. A total of 11 levels or decks were mined to a depth of 125 metres. This system of mining had to be abandoned as it became financially unviable. In the history of the mine, more than 4,000,000 tonnes of pyrite were extracted.
Industrial facilities The arrival of the Peña Copper Mine Company led to the modernisation of the mining facilities. At the start of the 20th century, a local electricity power station was installed from a steam engine. This system continued until 1928 when the mine was powered via the installations of the Sevillana Electricity Company. The mining machinery was installed in the master shaft. The rig or hoist in the Peña de Hierro Master shaft was located at the drop of the cut, until it was destroyed in a fire in the mid-80s. Another of the former installations which stands out on arrival at the mine is the pyrite flotation and concentration plant, with the storage tanks for the concentrates. Here the ore from the crusher was milled to a minute size and floated in a concentrator, to extract what was of interest from the pyrite: the copper. The mine also had its own forge, a laboratory, a powder magazine, a coal yard, a carpenter’s and several other workshops.
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Transporting the ore Given the distance between Peña de Hierro and Huelva, point of embarkation of the ore for the international market, at the end of the 19th century, the Peninsular Copper Company decided to transport it by rail. At the start, a branch line was constructed from Peña de Hierro to the Río Tinto Co. Ltd. railway, subcontracted from 1898 for transport to Huelva. But as a result of the excessive costs, the Peña Copper Mine decided to design and construct their own railway which, connected to the Cala Mines railway via Castillo Mine, permitted the departure of the ore via San Juan de Aznalfarache.
To get round the hills of Sierra Morena, a number of trenches, bridges, tunnels and viaducts had to be constructed to allow the railway line to cross the hills. In addition to the railway lines, it was also necessary to build stations, platforms, water tanks, staff barracks, huts, etc., and other installations required to ensure that the line operated correctly. Several years later, as the deposit became less profitable, the ore was transported by road. The line was closed in 1954 and the collection of mine trains has gradually disappeared, becoming relics of industrial archaeology.
Management and employee’s houses Today, one can still see the remains of the General Offices, the Management’s house, the store and a laboratory, as well as a group of working class houses in San Carlos and employee housing in San Teodoro. In the highest area, the Management’s house and those of guests and employees made up the Central Square. Whilst these were of a solid construction with a garden, patio, kitchen and toilet (which would then become a bathroom with electric water heater), the workers’ houses were more precarious and without basic services (although they improved over time). On a lower level, there was a tennis court with changing room and store room. In the 50s, it was destroyed to extract morrongo, a calcinated mineral found underneath.
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Life at the mine village The mine village which grew as a result of the mining operations was known by the inhabitants as La Peña. It had two main centres: La Peña de Abajo (The Lower Peña) and La Peña de Arriba (the Upper Peña), together with two small hamlets, Puerto Alegre and Los Ermitaños. The entire mining population lived here, with 825 inhabitants in 1919. Nowadays, it is a very different scenario: the original buildings have disappeared and weeds have taken over the edges of the pit. At Peña de Hierro, as in all the mining villages, there was a baker’s and a company store, called the cooperative, where the workers could buy food more cheaply than in the market. Milk, eggs, and vegetables came from the miners’ own smallholdings. Cultivation of the allotments after a long working day gave the miners’ families an opportunity to increase their earnings. The miners could find entertainment at the casino, which also belonged to the Company. Here they could enjoy themselves in a relaxed atmosphere and purchase liquor at reasonable prices. Peña de Hierro Mine also had a racecourse at Llano de Las Cuadras, where the British rode horses, and a swimming pool at the Guest House. Although entrance to the pool was restricted, it was often used by the miners’ children who climbed over the fence to get into the grounds.
The sounds of yesterday What most surprised the former inhabitants of the now disappeared village of Peña de Hierro is the present-day silence compared to the noise coming from the mines in those days. The chimes of the Master Shaft bell, the only means of communication between the interior and the exterior of the mine, informed the machinist which manoeuvre he had to perform. The bell chimed in the workshops at each change of shift or at meal-times, guiding not only the miners but also the villagers as to the time of day, as wristwatches were not available at that time. The bell was later replaced by a powerful siren known as the cow, audible in every corner of the mine. The noise of the crushing plant at the foot of the mine entrance was also tremendous. This was where the ore extracted in the blastings from the interior of the galleries was crushed until it was the size of a fist. Other sounds bringing the pit to life include those coming from the forge, the railway engines and the saws in the carpenter’s, where the railway sleepers were manufactured.
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MINING SIGNIFICANTLY TRANSFORMED THE MOUNTAIN LANDSCAPE The landscape is the result of the relation between the natural and human elements of which it is formed. As a result of human intervention to extract the riches of the earth, especially after the 19th century, the landscape has been transformed dramatically, leaving both residents and visitors moved. Throughout the 19th century, huge quantities of wood or charcoal were required to obtain copper from the calcination of pyrites in open air furnaces (burning piles). This led to the felling of large expanses of woodland, the total deforestation of many forests and the desertification of a large part of the territory. In addition, the burning piles had other serious consequences: the smoke emissions, the ‘blanket’, were loaded with sulphuric acid. In addition to respiratory illnesses and problems in the workers and neighbouring residents, it also caused acid rain. As early as 1852, the Mining Journal gave warning of these two effects: «The workers dread the winter rains and the dew of summer nights, because this is when more plants die, as increased quantities of liquid sulphuric acid are poured onto the plants».
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The Protected Territory of Rio Tinto
The Protected Territory of Rio Tinto includes the upper and middle sections of the river and surrounding areas, a strip of approximately 57 kilometres running across eleven towns in the provinces of Huelva and Seville. The Rio Tinto mining district was declared protected territory in response to the need to conserve and protect the landscape, so unusual due to traditional uses and the nature of its water. Combined with this is a significant ethnographic heritage, the importance of the zone as an ecological corridor, the presence of rare and endangered species such as the mine heather (Erica andevalensis), endemic to Huelva but
in danger of extinction, and different species of bats which nest in the cavities in the mines. The objectives of declaring Rio Tinto to be Protected Territory are multiple: to conserve the geomorphologic wealth and the special characteristics of the waters affected by the mining; to guarantee the movement of wildlife through the natural spaces which are connected; to conserve the existing natural systems and to regenerate the more damaged areas; and to encourage scientific research and make the local population aware, involving them in the conservation of this area.
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A “hand-made” landscape Mining, from the last third of the 19th century almost to date, has created a new landscape. Rio Tinto, with its pits and cavities, forms an enclave which is unique in the world, not only because of the exceptional environmental conditions, but also due to its chromatic beauty. Another significant element in the landscape, in addition to anthropic action, is the gossan. These are outcrops of surface rocks in which the sulphurs (mainly iron) have been oxidised by the rain, wind, sun or underground waters. This oxidation is responsible for the characteristic reddish-yellow colour. Since the Roman age, and even today, the gossan has been used as a guide when prospecting for different ores. In addition, the erosion of the gossan produces fanciful shapes such as at Confesionarios mine, in Valdelamusa, which takes its name from the shapes of the gossan, similar to confessional booths, or striking forms, such as the
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ferruginous crest that gives the Peña de Hierro its name, also known as the Montera de hierro, due to its likeness to the montera which covers the flank of a horse. In 2010, the Montera de gossan in Nerva was declared a Natural Monument of Andalusia, in view of its educational value, being an excellent example of the sulphur deposits typical of the region. In addition to the transformation of the landscape, the mining history left Huelva a rich industrial heritage: loading bays, ore washing stations, railway lines… But, without a doubt, the most remarkable aspect of the landscape are the hoists which serve to remind you of how difficult it was to conquer the depths of the earth. These mining rigs were places of work, remnants of the collective memory that, in one way or another, have managed to reach our time. The conservation of this mining inheritance will maintain our identity alive, essential for understanding who we are and where we come from.
The rigs or hoists are machines which, serving as a sort of winch, were used in the mines to remove the ore and water and to transport the miners to the face of work. They were lifts providing access to the galleries of the underground mines. Today they proudly point to where men, beasts and machines struggled to extract the ore. In the old days, way before the arrival of electricity, the hoists were driven by animals such as the mule, able to withstand the harsh working conditions.
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Life adapts The water of the river Tinto, the red river, maintains an important biodiversity of microorganisms, in extreme and unique conditions. Also of note for its exceptional character is a shrub which is only found in these mining districts: Erica andevalensis or mine heather. This is a type of heather which has adapted to the extremely acid conditions that the rocks in this area give the soil. The plant is found in the waste dumps of the mines, on the edges of water beds and outcrops of gossan. We should also highlight the different varieties of bat that nest in the shafts and galleries of the former mines, including Rhinolophusmehelyi, Mehely’s horseshoe bat.
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In addition to the special environmental conditions in the area immediately adjacent to the mines, the Protected Territory has areas in which the soil and weather conditions permit the growth of typically Mediterranean plants. These include the cork oak dehesa meadows, linked to the traditional use of natural resources by the local inhabitants. In the ravines and areas which are more protected from the extreme temperatures, the cork oak mixes with strawberry trees, viburnum, turpentine trees, mock privet and other species characteristic of the Mediterranean scrub. On the sides which are more exposed to the sun, the Holm oak, wild olive and pine tree make up most of the forest area.
Three zones have been proposed as Sites of Community Importance (SCI) linked to the river Tinto: the ecological corridor of the river Tinto, the river Tinto estuary and the Marshes and Banks of the Tinto. From a social and ecological point of view, the Protected Territory of Rio Tinto is of exceptional interest thanks to its value in connecting some of the main natural areas of the province. The north-south orientation is an essential factor in the connection of the coastal ecosystems with those of the Condado and Sierra Morena.
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The forests around RĂo Tinto As with the other elements in the landscape of the district, the forests which today have become a predominant feature of the zone, came into being thanks to the presence of the British. At the start of the 20th century, the gradual replacement of the ancient burning piles with tall factory chimneys resulted in large areas which were abandoned and were no good for mining, but at the same time permitted the progressive recovery of the environmental quality of the area. The Company Directors decided to make the areas more attractive through reforestation with a variety of species: Mediterranean pines, Austrian Pines and, even, wild pines, in addition to Eucalypts, selected for their adaptability to the environmental conditions of the area and their rapid growth rates. In this way, in spite of the poverty of the soils in which they were planted, and thanks to the efforts and perseverance of the inhabitants of the area, over the following decades, a forest landscape was obtained which today covers most of the district and has served a vital role in its environmental recovery.
The 2004 forest fire The 27 July 2004 saw the largest forest fire ever recorded in Andalusia in the last 30 years. It lasted 8 days, damaging more than 27,800 ha, of which almost 11,600 were in Protected Territory. The fire was not only characterised by the huge spread but also, and above all by its devastating virulence, causing severe damage to the plants and many farms in the local districts were also affected. Restoration of the damaged lands became a key factor in the evolution of the landscape of the zone. To do so, models were used which gave priority to the regeneration of the preexisting woodland, although the plants which were most damaged by the fire were replaced with new plants, which were predominantly Mediterranean species. In addition, and as a preventive measure, major work was carried out to improve the condition of the trees in the remaining forests of the district.
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The districts in the Protected Territory Most of the Protected Territory covers the Huelva Mining District, in the upper basin of the river Tinto, and acts as a point of transition between Costa de la Luz and Sierra de Aracena. The original centre of the district, as we know it today, is in Zalamea la Real, which includes Riotinto (emancipated in 1841), Nerva (in 1885) and El Campillo (in 1931). The geographical scope of the Protected Territory is formed of territory from eleven local towns belonging to various districts in the provinces of Huelva and Seville. The Huelva Mining Basin includes land from the towns of Berrocal, El Campillo, Minas de Riotinto, Nerva and Zalamea la Real. El AndĂŠvalo is also included with part of the town of Valverde del Camino, while the Huelva district of el Condado includes land belonging to La Palma del Condado, Niebla, Paterna del Campo and Villarrasa. The town of El MadroĂąo in Seville completes the area.
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The river Tinto and the red planet
The source of the river Tinto is yet another attraction in this landscape. No animals or plants live there yet it overflows with life, and its colour and environmental characteristics make it unique throughout the world. The water is acid, offering difficult conditions for the majority of living beings. Nonetheless, there is a huge number of microorganisms which thrive there thanks to their extraordinary capacity to adapt to this extreme environment. This is the reason why this area has been selected by scientists from NASA and the Centre for Astrobiology in Spain to carry out research into similarities with the conditions of life on Mars. According to scientists, the river Tinto area has significant similarities to Mars which may help in the search for life under the subsoil of this planet.
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The interest that the microorganisms in the river Tinto arouse among scientists not only stems from their links to studies of life on Mars, but, even more importantly, from how they might help to better understand the origin of life on our planet. The oxidation of pyrite by chemolithotrophic microbes, (organisms which do not require sunlight for survival, but mineral deposits which they oxidise to obtain energy) produces an acid solution with a high concentration of oxidised iron, the substance that gives the river Tinto its characteristic colour. These microscopic beings have participated in the formation of a subsoil very similar to that on Mars. Currently, the objective of the scientific studies lies in establishing whether the materials found on the red planet share this biological origin with those in the subsoil of the river.
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THE CLOSURE OF THE MINES
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From 1984, the crisis of copper prices in international markets led to the shutting down of the production lines for the metal. The constant lowering of prices meant the mining operations were unsustainable, and the mines were finally closed on 14 September 2001. The social and economic consequences were felt before the mines closed. Not only due to the loss in direct employment, but also in many auxiliary industries that made their living from the mines, including transport, spare parts and repairs, rental of machinery, etc. Many of the workers left the district with their families. Similarly, the waste dumps, shafts, galleries, open-cast pits, drainage channels, buildings and installations were abandoned. This posed not only a hazard to the environment (illegal dumps, impact of erosion, uncontrolled discharges) but also to the safety of human beings. The Regional Government of Andalusia, through the different departments and organisations, began to take a series of measures towards the environmental recovery, enhancement and diffusion of the Mining District heritage. This has led to the creation of a protected natural space and the formation of a cultural mining area, in pursuit of the preservation and sustainable development of the landscapes and heritage.
The RĂo Tinto Foundation and the Mining Park The RĂo Tinto Foundation for Mining and Metallurgy is a non-profit making cultural and educational institution, whose aim is the conservation and restoration of the historical heritage of the Riotinto Mining Basin. The institution was endowed with a significant heritage which has been renovated and restored. After many years of effort, the project for a cultural theme park based on the history of mining and metallurgy, the Riotinto Mining Park, is now a reality. In 2007, almost 74,000 people visited the park, thus providing a number of direct and indirect jobs.
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The Riotinto Mining Park includes the following points of interest: Tourist Mining Railway. Riotinto Mining Museum. House number 21 in the Bella Vista english quarter (Riotinto Mines). Historical Mining Archives. Peña de Hierro Mine.
Work at the Riotinto Mining park involved the transformation of the liabilities of the park into tourist assets. The importance of the heritage managed by the Rio Tinto Foundation was recognised with the declaration of the site as a Place of Cultural Interest in 2005, upgraded to Heritage Zone in 2011. The visit to the Mining Park was declared a “Destination of priority interest for all school children” by the Department of Education of the Regional Government of Andalusia, in the Order dated 15 February 1994 (BOJA 18, dated 15 February 1994). The work carried out by the institution, with respect to the renovation and restoration of the mining heritage has received a number of prizes and awards.
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The Geoparks Network The geological heritage is becoming the object of increasing esteem and value for the different international organisations for environmental conservation, with the result that it has been declared as a GeoPark and Natural Monument for its Geological Interest. The European Geoparks Network was established in June 2000 as part of the European LEADER II programme. Its main objective is the protection of geological heritage and the promotion of sustainable development in these territories in Europe. Andalusia has the Geoparks of Cabo de Gata and the Sierras Subbéticas.
The Montera de Gossan, located within the Protected territory of Rio Tinto has also been declared a “Natural Monument of Geological Interest”, in the municipal district of Nerva. The Montera de Gossan is a magnificent example of some of the principal values within the Protected Territory. On the one hand, it forms part of the mining history of the deposits in the Rio Tinto River Basin, and is of interest from a cultural and ethnographic aspect and, on the other hand, it is an example of the value of the landscape in this environment.
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