Caccheo y Minería Mediana en las Provincias de Potosí : Lípez y Porco (1830-1850)

Abstract

The article examines small and medium silver mining in two provinces of Potosí (Bolivia) during the early Republic, situating it between state buying, minting policies and smuggling via the "silver road" to Salta and the Chilean coast. The role of the Bolivian providers of small loans is identified, who then collected and sent ounces of silver from the local refineries to the Mining Bank. The mechanisms of mining accumulation (without recourse to foreign capitals) are analyzed, showing how the "share־cropping" arrangement between the mine owner and his Indian "associates" (cacchas) could be transformed into a "regular" relationship between boss and day laborer. Finally, I compare two middle־mining businesses, Siporo and Huanchaca, both were united against State interference in labor relations, especially President Santa Cruz's efforts to introduce a new Mining Code in defense of the workers.