Río Tinto is known for its high acidic levels (pH2) and reddish hue, which is derived from the large iron content in the water. As a result, there is no noticeable life in the river and its underwater mud dunes are a desert. Río Tinto runs through mineral rich earth, and has been mined for over 5,000 years, however, it is a natural wonder and a source of pride for the local population of the Southwest of Spain.
Riotinto was once the largest open-air mine in the world. It was here in 1888, where the first environmentally focused demonstration occurred in Spanish history. The end result of this demonstration, which raised issues with the inhuman working conditions of the miners, left countless men, women and children killed or wounded in what would become known as the "year of the shots".
What remained dormant for more than a decade, nowadays it faces new conditions, and new needs. The price of copper has risen. Spain is still mired in economic crisis. Unemployment is high. Food on the table, money in the pocket. In 2016, Atalaya Mining Plc. commenced commercial production with Proyecto Riotinto.
‘Rio Tinto and the Mines’ is my first collaboration with my husband, the librarian and writer, Adam Lederer. It was published in Natural History Magazine May issue 2017.
Entrenched in antiquity, the feature distills centuries of exploitation into a piece that focuses on stoking conversation about human values and our interactions with nature. It talks about environment and our impact on it, but also about culture, and science. It reminds us of the long lasting effects that outlive our memory of the truth and genesis of creation.