| Cerro de Pasco | |
|---|---|
| — Town — | |
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Cerro de Pasco
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Peru |
| Region | Pasco Region |
| Province | Pasco Province |
| Elevation | 4,650-4,700 m (-10,770 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 70,000 |
Cerro de Pasco (population 70,000) is a city in central Peru. It is the capital of the Pasco region, and an important mining center. It is connected by road and by rail to the city of Lima.
At 14,200 feet (4,330m) elevation in the Andes, it is one of the highest cities in the world. It became one of the world's richest silver producing areas after silver was discovered there in the early 17th century. Although the silver was exhausted by the Spanish, it is still an active mining center.
The mine is currently owned by Volcán Compañía Minera who bought it from Centromin when that State owned company was privatised in the 20th century. The last full year's figures (2006) gave combined production from the underground and open pit mines at 3.34 million tons containing 58,300 tonnes of lead, 155,300 tonnes of zinc and 8.5 million ounces of silver though it is not clear whether this is the metal mined or actually recovered. The ore reserve position is healthy, with 40 million tonnes in reserves and over 50 million tonnes in resources. Copper production ceased many years ago though the remains of the old smelter can be seen next to the railroad west of the Colquijirca property.[1]
Dr. Dennis L. Siluk, First Poet Laureate of Cerro de Pasco, Resolucion 1009-2007-A-HMPP}