February 16 to 22 Mazarron commemorates the mining heritage of the town

A guided tour of the Mina Impensada site and a new monument to the Mazarrón miners of the past

Image: https://mti-minas-murcia.blogspot.com/

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:

Friday February 16

11.00: Guided tours 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). The tour starts at the Casas Consistoriales with a maximum group size of 20.

On February 16 in 1893 a tragic accident in the Mina Impensada brought about the loss of 28 lives.

Saturday February 17

Opening of the art exhibition “El prodigio impensado” by Lidó Rico at the Casas Consistoriales and the Casino of Mazarrón 1844. The exhibition is open until September 24.

Opening hours in winter: Monday to Saturday 10.00 to 14.00, Thursdays and Fridays 17.00 to 20.00.

Opening hours in summer: Monday to Saturday 10.00 to 14.00, Thursdays and Fridays 17.30 to 20.30.

Closed on the last Saturday of every month and on public holidays.

Sunday February 18

12.00: The official presentation of the new monument in the Plaza del Salitre.

Tuesday February 20

20.30: Talk about Hilarión Roux, the Marqués de Escombreras, a pioneer of lead mining in the Mediterranean and Mazarrón, given by Gérard Chastagnaret in the Casino.

Wednesday February 21

20.30: Conference on the mines of Mazarrón, given by Matías Raja at the Casino.

Thursday February 22

20.30: Photography prizegiving ceremony at the Museo Antonio Paredes (Avenida de la Constitución, 193).

For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of Mazarrón Today.