Page:Bolivia (1893; Bureau of the American Republics).djvu/88

66

As indicating the ratio of worked to abandoned gold mines at the same period (1848), the following figures will suffice:

These figures, which may be taken as approximately correct, are the more interesting and instructive because the intervening forty-four years have not served to materially change them. The general condition of gold mining has remained unchanged since 1848, while the number of silver mines actually worked has but slightly increased; and yet the enlarged capital employed and the improved methods of mining and of treating silver ores introduced in certain districts in recent years, notably Potosi, Huanchaca, Colquechaca, and Oruro, have resulted in a steady increase of production, until the total silver produced by the Bolivian mines for