Patio method of amalgamation (blending ore with mercury) at Potosí

Quadrupled mining output

Tripled demand for labor

Allowed Spaniards to corner profits

water

stamps

amalgam

mine shafts

ore carrying llamas

smelters

undated drawing (late 16th century)

“the most remarkable feat of technology ever achieved in Ibero-America”-- Peter Bakewell

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