Peru - Santa Bárbara mining complex

The mercury-producing district of Huancavelica is located at the heart of the Andes range, at 3,700 meters above sea level, 245 kilometers southeast of Lima. Mercury or quicksilver production in Huancavelica was the largest of the Western hemisphere and it holds the fourth position of the world ranking, only bettered by Almadén (Spain), Idrija (Slovenia) and Mount Amiata (Italy). Most mercury mining activities took place between 1571 and 1790, and they were mainly conducted in Santa Bárbara mine, the most important mine site of Huancavelica. The critical role of mercury in the colonial economy caused Viceroy Francisco de Toledo to found the city of Huancavelica calling it "Villa Rica de Oropesa".