History of Gallarta :the mine

Mines have been an essential part in the history of Gallarta. They have left a deep mark not only on the environment, with craters and artificial reservoirs, but also on people’s lives and hearts. This a brief summary.

Methods to extract the mineral

In the 19th century, the mine in Gallarta was an open-air exploitation.

Dynamite was used for blasting. Then, the mineral was cut into pieces and it was selected, loaded and transported to the port.

This is the only remaining coast loader from which the mineral was exported to Europe

When the mines ran out of mineral, galleries under ground were opened.

The mineral extracted there was not so pure; they had to wash it in order to eliminate the rubbish on it.

That’s why they built water canals and reservoirs.

The first furnace was set up in 1848 and the blast furnaces “ALTOS HORNOS”, one of the most relevant factories in Biscay and in the Basque country, was set up 1882.

Altos Hornos

Immigration

Great number of workers and immigrants from other areas of the Basque Country and from Spain came to Gallarta and the surroundings.

A lot of miners lived in La Arboleda and there were many facilities in town, including a hospital.

Dolores Ibarruri

The miners associated in trade union movements and Dolores Ibarruri, the activist that gives our school its name, fought hard for the workers’ rights.

The last mining exploitation in Gallarta closed down in 1993.

The END

To finish, here you have a lively traditional Basque song!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcIix3avHu0

By Andrea and Eider