History of mining - Atacama Region, Chile

 Introduction to mining history 1830 - 1920

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Massification of mining, the increase in the use of machinery, and the deepening rate, the rate of accidents increased. Besides, the consciousness of latent dangers such as gases, dust (silicosis), and others arrived.

The mines were very unsafe according to today's standards, mainly because of a lack of resources and a lack of expertise. Literature of that time took this topic often up. The French book "La Vie Souterraine du Les Mines et les Mineures" (Paris 1867) shows quite impressively and drastically the non-compliance with the safety regulations on the part of the miners.
However, we must assume that the miner was very careful to work safely and, if possible, without an accident in the shaft. He knew that rescue was almost impossible in the deep labyrinths of that time. There were hardly any hospitals; they were far away and undoubtedly expensive.
The treatment methods and medications were, as one might imagine, not always helpful. It should have been clear to every miner that only accident prevention protects. Of course, many accidents have been provoked by the lack of technology or poor construction and working materials (ladders, explosives, etc.) and a lack of geological knowledge or extremely long working hours.

In the literature (e. g. Treutler), in Copiapó, a more significant number of blind men lived, which is interpreted as an indication of frequent explosions. Also, the public showed great respect for these people, and there was generous support from the population. (see below *1)

One of the miners' central demands during this time was, therefore, to secure the mine. The accidents damaged the miner and his professional future. Mine safety quickly became a significant issue in the development of trade union organizations.

Of course, the major mining accidents had a significant impact on general security policy. For example, in the Radbod coal mine in 1908, about 348 miners were killed. This accident finally led to a reorientation in occupational safety, and the authorities introduced a control body. In Chile, accidents were also frequent in the mines during this period. Paul Treutler describes a blasting accident at the Cobriza mine in Tres Puntas around 1853. [Accidente en la mina Cobriza]

Several achievements can easily recognize the European, especially English, influence.
That is reflected in a letter that a miner from Cornwall, England, wrote in a letter to his parents:
"We have got some of the Tuckingmill safety in our mine, but I have seen some rope yarn in other mines. They do call it safety fuse; it is brought from England the natives are afraid of it."

Foto:
Accident: From: "La Vie Souterraine Du Les Mines et les Mineures" (Paris 1867) - Foto grande

Literature and Links
Bibliographical reference


TREUTLER, PAUL (1882): Fünfzehn Jahre in Südamerika an de Ufern des Stillen Ozeans. - 3 Bd., Seite 50; Weltpostverlag, Leipzig.

Full letter in English: thanks: Thanks to Sharron P. Schwartz (University of Exeter) - for the permissions.
http://www.ex.ac.uk/cornishlatin/Lettertuckingmillminer.htm

Literatura:
PHILIPPI, RUDOLPH AMANDUS (1860): REISE DURCH DIE WUESTE ATACAMA AUF BEFEHL DER CHILENISCHEN REGIERUNG IM SOMER 1853-54 UNTERNOMMEN UND BESCHRIEBEN. VON DR... NEBST EINER KARTE UND XXVII TAFELN HALLE Eduard Anton 1860

Fuentes:
Historia del Partido Socialdemócrata en Alemania (en alemán)
http://www.dh-museum.com/lemo/html/kaiserreich/innenpolitik/spd2

SIMONIN, L. (1867): La vie Soutterraine ou les mines et les mineurs. - Paris, Libraire de L. Hachette et G.