January 30 to February 16 Mazarron commemorates the mining heritage of the town

Mazarrón pays homage to miners of the past with a guided tour of the Mina Impensada site and other events

The history of Mazarrón is marked by periods of great prosperity and wealth brought about by the mining activity in the mountains which stand not far from the town centre, and as part of the ongoing policy of the current local government to reinforce the importance of local history a new monument to the miners of bygone days is to be unveiled on February 18.

The statue will adorn the Plaza del Salitre and the presentation is scheduled to take place at 12.00 midday, forming part of the first “Semana de la Memoria Minera” (mining Memory Week) in Mazarrón. On the monument are carved the names of all those who lost their lives in mining accidents in the area, or indeed as a result of illnesses caused by their occupation, such as silicosis.

In preparation for the event, Mayor Ginés Campillo and Councillors Jorge Durán and Francisco Méndez recently visited the relatives of some of the last miners to work in Mazarrón in order to invite them to the ceremony, and to inform them of the program for Mining Memory Week, which includes the following:

Thursday January 30: a photography competition begins at the Mines of Mazarrón, prizes to be awarded on February 15.

Saturday February 1: Official opening of the exhibition "Las minas de Mazarrón: un prodigio de plata y plomo", 20.30 in the Casino of Mazarrón.

Wednesday February 5: Screening of the film "Soy minero", at 19.00 in the Casa de la Cultura.

Thursday February 6: Official opening of the exhibition "La minería española en los siglos XIX y XX" at 19.00 in the Casas Consistoriales.

Saturday February 8: An evening of mining songs at 19.00 in the Casa de la Cultura.

Monday February 10: Screening of the film "Los 33" at 19.00 in the Casa de la Cultura.

Saturday February 15: Free guided tour of the Impensada mine, led by local chronicler Mariano C. Guillén. Participation is free of charge but prior registration is required on 659 081209 (on weekdays 9.00 to 14.00 and 17.00 to 20.00).

This tour commemorates the events of February 16 in 1893, when a tragic accident in the Mina Impensada brought about the loss of 28 lives.

Sunday February 16: Official presentation of a new monument to miners in the Plaza del Salitre, featuring 6 plaques which contain the names of almost 1,000 miners (including two women) who worked in the local mines of Mazarrón.