Franklin Mining, Inc. (FMNJ)

[Trueheart]

I saw a program last night on Globe Trekker about Boleevia.

The fellow traveled to Cerro Rico and Pelucayo and went into the mines. Jeez, the Indians drink high proof alcohol and chew coca leaves and pray to a god-figure to whom they give gifts so that they can endure their hard manual work at 12,000 feet. Everything is done by hand, the men pushing ore laden carts. 40 cooperatives are still working Cerro Rico and there is no large scale mining. The miners are working and eking out a living on the meager ore deposits that remain. He said that Pelucayo had been worked out.

The miners last around 10 years and many suffer from silicosis.

How utterly depressing.

Trueheart