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Considering the allegorical aspect of the historical section, the artist main focus was based on the thesis of Chile as a mining culture and furthermore, the preponderate role of copper as the emblematic metal which over the centuries made Chile the first producer of copper in the world. Aside from the fact that Chilean geography constitutes the largest copper reserves in the world, a rich Andean culture developed more than 4.000 years ago where the attributions to metals such as gold, silver, tin and copper and its different alloys predetermined a Bronze Age which prolonged until the arrival of the Spanish Conquistador. Contrary to occidental culture which anticipated the Iron Age do primarily to conquest and warfare, Pre Hispanic societal structures emphasized primordially religious attributes to the production of metal artefacts. In this respect, the more complex metallurgy which originated with copper during the Initial Period (2000-900 B.C.) where its oldest founding’s is a ceremonial centre in the Lurín Valley, near Lima, Peru, perpetuated a series of elaborate metal manufactures which disseminated throughout South America.
As we may observe the central figure is an Andean miner who is surrounded by distinctive copper and copper alloyed ceremonial mask (Moche 100-800 A.D., Aguada-Ambato 450-900 A.D., Sicán-Lambayeque 750-1350 A.D., Chimú 1100-1430 A.D. and Santa María 900-1430 A.D.). Faces which serendipitously glance at a future beyond our immediate reality, the closure of a great circle which today celebrates the heritage of our ancestors.
A particular silhouette of industrial and residential buildings intertwined with pathways dominated by intricate stairwells was conceived in the early 1900th. Sewell, named after the memory of Barton Sewell (1915), outstanding CEO who worked for Braden Copper Company, was home to thousands of miners who lived with their families with all the necessary accommodations which included at the time one of the most modern hospitals in Latin-America, schools, movie theatre, gymnasium, social clubs, convenience stores, etc. The dramatic cone shape like cityscape surrounded by the Andes Mountains reached its peak in 1960 with a population of 15.000. Today declared national monument, became the historical portrait of the largest underground mine in the world.
Its underground immediacy which comprises a complex mace of 3.000 kilometres of tunnels is currently operated by what appears to be a city within a city. Ample spaces destined for various forms of vertical and transversal transportation fed by giant turbine air shafts create a world which appears to exist independently to the outside world. Many generations have worked here, where family ties have become common knowledge amongst the specialized miners who take pride in there family traditions. Considering the hazardous nature of underground mines, work safety is unison behaviour where internal communication has derived into a slang of sorts. Full equipped mining personnel coming and going where casual conversation usually takes place at the various “cage” (elevator) stations, the same way one may encounter an acquaintance at a downtown pedestrian boulevard. In some cases conversation will be interrupted by the headlights of a 15 Ton front-end loader which becomes integrated to the track marks of the cage. Every movement is carried on with an uninterrupted rhythm, as daily life follows its natural course.
The general composition is framed by an obsolete conveyer belt steel bridge insinuating the multiple layers of mining activity. Far in the background is Sewell guarded by contemporary miners who emerge from the underground mine. The fragmented transversal view of the mine illustrates the fragile balance between man and machine contrived by solid rock tunnels. The permanent harshness of the environment brings forward a sense of tranquillity and ease in the poise of everyday duty. Gradually the image moves downward into the so called “productive areas” where heavy equipment is implemented in the extraction of mineral. A dynamic view of a front-end loader is recognized divided by an imaginary shaft which leads into a gyratory primary crusher.
The industrialization of mining activity during the 19th century had a key role in the dramatic change compared to colonial period in metal production. First and foremost, the production during the 19th century was 4.7 times greater than the 270 years of Colonial Period. While copper was merely 12.5% during Colonial Period, during the 19th century it represented 60% of the total metal production. This was a clear indicator how the red metal became a mayor protagonist as a thermal and electrical conductor in a new industrial era worldwide.
The historical parallel between the war of Independence in Chile and Napoleonic wars, made Chile in the first half of the 19th century a fertile terrain for foreign investors and scientist who had a particular interest for Chile’s mining resources. The arrival of visionaries such as Carlos Lambert in 1824, Alsatian chemist who introduced new furnace technology for processing sulphide ores which was unknown at the time and accounted for most of Chile’s copper reserves, forged a new generation of mining activity. Lambert’s method made possible a leap jump from an average production of 2,000 tons in 1820 to 12,000 tons in 1850.
The assertive view of extraordinary business man and mining entrepreneurs such as Matías Cousiño and José Tomás Urmeneta gived birth to an unprecedented epoch where on one hand coal production became the prime source of energy and the production of “Chilean Bars” (copper ingots of 99.5% purity) became the trademark of Chilean mining. By the year 1876 when world copper demand reached 125,000 tons per year, Chile reached a world record production of 52,308 tons representing almost 42% of world production.
Nevertheless, the explosive increment in world demand in the next two decades from 156,000 tons in 1880 to 500,000 tons in 1900 combined with Chilean new strategic export of nitrate and the extraordinary output of American economy where copper production reached in 1900 a remarkable figure of 273,088 tons, had a profound impact in the variables which affected Chilean economic development. Although nitrate became a tremendous source of richness and economic growth, the declination of Chile in world copper production to 5.6% in 1900 was a lesson never to be forgotten.
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Description
Weight & Dimension: danugroup.lk/product/ceylon-cornflower-blue-sapphire-7/
Colour: Blue “cornflower blue”
Type: Loose faceted stones
Treatment: Standard Heated
Shape: Oval
Variety: Natural Blue Sapphire
Species: Natural Corundum
Clarity: SI ( small fracture, not visible on naked eye)
Origin: Sri Lanka
Mining: Ratnapura, Sri Lanka
Certificate: CSL – Colored Stone Laboratory Certified ( Gemological Institute of America “GIA” Alumina Association Member )
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The ominous view of giant copper smelting furnaces chimneys is a distinctive characteristic of Caletones smelting plant located at the base of El Teniente mine. What seemed to be at first glance a geographic inconvenience of more than 1200 meters of altitude difference from the top to the base of the mine, the production process translates itself into a gravity miracle. The same way we admire the hydraulic marvel of Versailles water fountains, it seems like El Teniente was conceived to escalate naturally millions of tons of copper ores into the valley of Rancagua.
Our retina is suddenly frozen by metallic coronations where these smelting furnaces convert mineral dust into liquid metal. Like a “temple of fire”, mystical figures with shining armour walk about with long spears searching for the eye of the dragon. Temperature differences are experienced at every walking pace where giant converters spill through loop holes the precious metal. All together the forces of transmutation summoned of what initially give birth in a dark rock cavern. This alchemical relationship of rock, metal and fire brings us back to prehistoric times when the first signs of human intelligence projected the movement of our hands into the shape of a tool.
Needless to say some of this old miners, colloquially referred as “los viejos” or the “the old ones” have learned and earned to carry there weight around. Skilful artisans with the dexterity of a glass blower in the island of Murano, create a channel of inert material in order to optimize the fluidity of pure liquid copper. Time is a critical aspect with converter process where purity is finally measured by the craft of experienced miners.
The year 1904 can be remembered as a crucial breakthrough of Chile re-emerging in the international scenery when Braden Copper Company was established in the State of Maine, United States, with a capital of 4 million dollars to initiate operations in El Teniente Mine near Rancagua, Chile. As insignificant it may sound by worldwide standards, little was to be known that one of the largest copper deposits in the world was engaged and a new era of glory begun with the development of large scale mining in Chile. Historically speaking, Chileans were quite aware of rich deposits such as El Teniente, Chuquicamata, Andina, or even El Abra, but not until an adequate technology and significant capitals were invested could the country realize the true potentials which lay ahead as a full scale mining nation and its impact in mineral economy until present days.
Equally important was what sought to be dispersed copper deposits in Chuquicamata in northern Chile not until the Guggenheim brothers who also participated in El Teniente, became interested and with a group of competent geologist determined that Chuquicamata was one big deposit with a total reserve of 690 million tons of oxide and sulphide ores. Production started in 1915 under the tutelage of Chile Exploration Company with an annual production of 45,000 tons of copper.
The profound shift from short term profit business mentality to anonymous long term profit endeavour created a new phenomenon of methodical hard work which granted an empirical knowledge useful not only to exploit natural resources but also offer realistic solutions for future generations.
Today when we look back and reflect upon the meaning of Chilean mining culture, we understand how important these events were to prepare ourselves in a much greater challenge of future global crisis and the inexorable fact of non renewable natural resources.
Understanding the cyclical nature of mineral economy and its reciprocal relationship to world economy, Chilean mining as many other mining countries around the world have witnessed how mining legislation and regulations represent a struggle between private and public sector. In spite of momentary advantages or disadvantages on either side, where government taxes, monetary regulations and market tariffs act upon as catalysers of regional and foreign investment, nothing is more decisive in economic growth and market forecast than a strong policy towards scientific research. In other words, history has demonstrated the pivotal aspect of human resources focused in intellectual capital.
We have already observed how reliable mining prospecting applied to adequate technology was able to transform Chile in the 20th century, particularly in the post-war period, into a sustained leading country in the mining sector. Profound changes such as the nationalization of copper industry (1970) and the outbreak of CODELCO Chile as the largest stated owned copper company in the world could only have been possible with a previous stage of training the future generations of professionals in the field. For example, the founding of Metallurgical Engineering School in 1960 at the University of Concepción, Chile and the prominent scientific research which took place their during that same decade, granted the administration of resources which were previously for most part in the hands of foreign investors, such is the case of Braden, Kennecott and Anaconda Copper Companies. Later on the initiated activity of CIMM in 1974 (mining and metallurgical research centre) created the backbone of mining scientific research in Chile over the next decade.
Today we are at the crossroads of key decisions that need to be taken in what remains of mineral deposits around the world. In this respect, the underlying message of the Chilean Mining Mural is a very clear one. Future professionals, especially those who will be surrounded by the mural at the University of Concepción, will contemplate a heritage which cannot be taken for granted; on the contrary our responsibility is immeasurable when we think of natural resources devastation and what sort of solution the mining industry can offer in order to maintain our human existence as we know today on planet Earth.
Contrary to the Augsburg Viceroys in the New World, the first expedition to Chile lead by Diego de Almagro in 1533 and later on with the expedition of Pedro de Valdivia founder of Santiago in 1541, a military cast was established in the new Kingdom of Chile were the use of iron was indispensable with what was to be lead as the longest war in the American continent (three centuries) with an equally warrior cast, the Mapuche people. Although iron ores were not exploited at the time, copper was used as a substitute in some cases for artillery. The processing of copper took place almost exclusively by pyrometallurgy. Small square or cylindrical squat furnaces were built, with underground crucibles in which the oxide mineral was mixed with charcoal, which reduced the ore to metallic copper.
The general composition which is crowned by two medallions with Pedro de Valdivia on the left and Diego de Almagro on the right hand side, give birth to a fertile landscape where the ingenuity of the old world is conceiving various mechanisms for future mining activity, such is the case of Leornado’s excavating machine used as a metaphor of a visionary world on the verge of revealing its richness. The circular background is the realization of a “round world” where a series of mining prospect maps have been depicted.
The connecting landscape between the productive mine and secondary crushing plant are feeding lines of conveyor belts where its hyperbolic trajectory descending from the mountain side create a harmonious curves where 60.000 tons of mineral are daily fed into the secondary crusher or SAG plant.
The centre of the stock pile has been superimposed by the gyratory primary crusher steel funnel creating a hello like image which illuminates the interior of SAG mill control room. This sort of ship deck which sits on top of a 5 story building is the electronic brain where the main objective is to incorporate operational experience between control room operators and plant personnel in order to optimise throughput and stabilise the operation of the mill.
The physical sensation in the building is a silent vibrating giant where thousands of horsepower engines require the equivalent of all Rancagua´s city (population 200.000) electrical power consumption at the moment the mill engines are kicked off.
I. Historical Section (12.30 MT x 3.15 MT):
From top to bottom the mural section illustrates more than 4.000 years of mining history in the Andean world, a distribution of 3 vertical panels (2.05 MT x 1.05 MT) in 6 rows divided into 6 sections as follows:
i. Pre Colombian Period and the Bronze Age.
ii. Spanish conquest and the introduction of the Iron Age.
iii. Colonial Period and the independence of Chile.
iv. Industrial Revolution and the industrialization of mining industry.
v. The emergence of large scale mining.
vi.Development of mineral sciences.
II. Mining Process Section (8.20 MT x 4.20 MT):
From top to bottom the mural section illustrates mining process where “El Teniente” copper mine near Rancagua, Chile was used as a model of the largest underground mine in the world, a distribution of 4 vertical panels (2.05 MT x 1.05 MT) in 4 rows divided into 4 sections as follows:
i. Sewell mining town and productive section.
ii. Primary and secondary crushing plants.
iii. Metallurgical process and extraction plants.
iv. Smelting plant and final products.
One of the most captivating images is a night view of all processing plants which are located at half way distance and altitude between Sewell and Caletones where the smelting plant is located. A series of intricate connecting roads and railways, where cargo trains, semi trucks, personnel buses and trucks are in a constant movement in order to coordinate a three shift none stop mining operation.
The sombre nightscape becomes gradually flooded by panoramic views of water recycling plants which are used in all metallurgical processing plants. Such is the case of a split view on the bottom side of El Teniente concentration plants introducing the viewer into a pipe line circuit of mud like fluids where copper concentrates are been recovered.
At short distance two operating personnel are at a stand by position observing from overall decks the fluctuating mineral substances where thousands of mechanical devises based on principles of precipitation and floatation are gradually defining the process of extractive metallurgy.
As meagre it may sound for today’s standards, over the 270 years of colonial period, Chile produced roughly 81.550 tons of copper. Nevertheless the constitution of a coinage house and the emergence of a mestizo miner, prepared the country towards independence and the realization of new mining regulations which could guarantee the advent of an industrial revolution eager of raw materials.
The general composition is dominated by Toesca’s “Real Casa de la Moneda” 1805, today better known as “Palacio de la Moneda” or government palace representing a classic model of Chilean criollo idiosyncrasy. The facade has been counter balanced by a sequence of Chilean miner archetypes which dominated the landscape up until late 19th century. The depiction of Mier’s hydraulic mill is an abbreviation of Chile’s mayor struggle, which is the scarcity of energy resources. Far in the background we observe a romantic scene of Rugenda’s “Plaza de la Independencia”.
Virtual reality illustrating wall sections of permanent mural installation titled: “History of Chilean Mining Mural” at the University of Concepcion, Chile. Section A (12.30MT x 3.15MT) concerns the history of Chilean mining from Pre Colombian period (c.2200 BC) to contemporary times. Section B (8.20MT x 4.20MT) illustrates mining process where the model of reference was the largest underground mine in the world “El Teniente”, copper mine which began its operations in 1904 with Braden Copper Company.
This project which had its genesis in 1998 under a common agreement between Chilean Bureau of Mines and the University of Concepción, was to establish a policy of projecting the image of Chile through out the world as a mining culture. Its first phase with the materialization of the Chilean Mining Mural was sponsored by CODELCO-CHILE commemorating the centenary of Chilean large scale copper mining 1905-2005.
Sewell Mining Town Study II cityscape is dominated by two singular structures, in the horizon line we observe a curious roof top pattern which was part Sewell’s hospital made out of copper shingles. The interplay of copper shingle metallic light passage is foreshadowed by the ominous presence of an old railway dumping bridge casting a semi circular shadow on a down hill conveyor belt shaft.
Bureau of Mines Secretary: Alfonso Dulanto
Presidente University of Concepción: Sergio Lavanchy
Visual Artist: Alexander Sutulov
El Teniente Division General Manager: Ricardo Alvarez
Art critique: Pedro Labowitz
Presidente University of Concepción: Sergio Lavanchy
Bureau of Mines Secretary: Alfonso Dulanto
Visual Artist: Alexander Sutulov
A glimpse of the simple home of a small mining family at Kennecott. Small cottages provided decent living to some of the married miners, whose spouses also sometimes worked for the company. Unlike many struggling families during the Great Depression, the Kennecott Miners were comfortable with decent pay. They had a recreation hall, skating rink, tennis and handball courts and a baseball field as well as a theater.
A glimpse of the simple home of a small mining family at Kennecott. Small cottages provided decent living to some of the married miners, whose spouses also sometimes worked for the company. Unlike many struggling families during the Great Depression, the Kennecott Miners were comfortable with decent pay. They had a recreation hall, skating rink, tennis and handball courts and a baseball field as well as a theater.
A glimpse of the simple home of a small mining family at Kennecott. Small cottages provided decent living to some of the married miners, whose spouses also sometimes worked for the company. Unlike many struggling families during the Great Depression, the Kennecott Miners were comfortable with decent pay. They had a recreation hall, skating rink, tennis and handball courts and a baseball field as well as a theater.