THE ELECTRIFICATION PROCESS OF THE ALMADÉN MERCURY MINES

Abstract

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Almadén mercury mines were administered by the Ministry of Finance. The mines were in such a deplorable situation that they did not yield the expected economic returns for the country, so much so that their lease or even their sale came to be considered. Finally, the form of administration was changed and the so-called Administrative Council of the Almadén Mines was put in charge. As a necessary and urgent measure to undertake the required reforms of the mines that would lead to their modernization and, consequently, a greater economic yield, the need to provide the mines with electricity supply was considered. This process of electrification and modernization of the Almadén mines, which was intended to be undertaken within a few months, was delayed for several years, among other reasons, because it was a particularly convulsive period in terms of workers' conflicts, as well as coinciding with the period just after the end of the First World War, with the supply problems that this entailed. This article discusses the different options that were considered to provide electrical power for the mining facility and sets out the solutions that were finally adopted. This was an arduous process, as attested to by the numerous historical documents consulted, the large number of estimates considered and the correspondence with various suppliers of electrical equipment. Keywords: history of technology, Almadén mines, electrification of industrial facilities, industrial modernization.