3-021-315 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Real del Monte, Mexico, 1868. 'After the independence of Mexico had been acknowledged by Great Britain, an English company was formed to work the mines. Three ships were sent to Vera Cruz, carrying a body of miners, engineers, and mechanics, with steam-engines, pumps, and other apparatus...they arrived at Real del Monte, in 1826; but the town was then almost a ruin, the population was scanty, and the works were destroyed. Everything had to be commenced anew; buildings were raised, shafts were cleared, and adits were driven...In the year 1848 the expenses had reached the enormous sum of 15,381,633 dollars, while the mines had produced only 10,481,475 dollars. The company was then dissolved, but Mr. Buchan undertook the management of the mines for a Mexican company, and almost immediately struck the great Rosario vein. Till last year this magnificent mine had not only paid all the expenses of working the other mines, but had left a profit of one million dollars a year. The town of Real del Monte is 9000 ft. above the sea, is very healthy, though often enveloped in fogs, and has the appearance of an English town, which, indeed, it is...Almost at every turn one sees an English face. The average yield of silver is thirty bars in a fortnight'. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.