The Mines of Mazarron

Mining in this region has a long history stretching back to the Phoenicians in the 3^rd century BC. It was afterwards an important mining area for the Romans. Documentary evidence of mining operations in Mazarron dates from 1587. By 1840 there were more than 200 shafts here with production peaking between the 1860’s and 1940’s. Mining ceased in 1969.

That’s a tiny potted history. When the mining companies packed up in 1969 they took the contents and equipment of value and left all the rest, now at least 50 years old and falling steadily into decay.

We’re here not to try and explain how it all operated – and impossible task for us- but to marvel at the scale of it all and the colours of the spoil heaps and standing water that reflect the different minerals mined here: lead, zinc, silver, copper & iron. The rough entrance road gives an idea of what’s on offer, with the spoil heaps to the right of the road.

The road soon leads us to a group of partially ruined buildings looking like an abandoned village, which in a way it is.

 This structure could be mistaken for an ancient temple.

Hazards to watch out for are pits. The one below is about 10 metres deep and has an attractive yellow sludge in the bottom.

Now here’s a bit of mining kit we all recognise- a pit head. You need to watch out as it’s falling to pieces. The shaft is still there although partially blocked.

And this complex is like a medieval castle film set.

With a bastion wall.

Here’s the incredible changing puddle. From this angle it’s definitely red, against a striking backdrop of shades of yellow.

From another angle it’s now purple.

On a hill lies a ruin that’s a squared-off Stonehenge lookalike. Perhaps mining here has a longer heritage than we thought!

But we keep coming back to the huge spoil heaps. These are so colourful, and a suitable place to end our visit.