In the heart of the Andes Mountains, the city of Potosi, Bolivia, sits atop one of the world's largest silver deposits. In the 16th century, the discovery of this treasure trove lured thousands of miners to the region, where they labored under the harsh conditions of the Cerro Rico, or "Rich Mountain." The miners, known as the "mita," faced extreme dangers, including cave-ins, toxic fumes, and the constant threat of disease. Working in cramped and poorly ventilated tunnels, they used rudimentary tools to extract the silver ore. The arduous and hazardous nature of the work made mining in Potosi the most dangerous trade in the world.
