Mina da Passagem

The Mina da Passagem is the most accessible old gold mine in Minas Gerais and a striking contrast to the colonial architecture in town. Open to visitors, it takes you underground by cable car into a massive flooded chamber where you can snorkel or dive among the old mining machinery — an experience that is genuinely strange and worth the short detour from Mariana.

The mine sits about 3 km from the colonial centre along the road toward Ouro Preto, making it easily combined with a visit to both cities. The underground lake fills what was once an active mine shaft and has become an unexpected attraction. Beyond the diving, guided walks through the old tunnels give a clear picture of the brutal scale of colonial gold extraction in this region.

things to do sight
A story
At its peak in the eighteenth century, the Mina da Passagem was one of the largest gold mines in the world. Slaves worked the shafts by torchlight; the ore was so rich that Portuguese officials stationed themselves at the exit to prevent theft. The mine eventually produced around 35 tonnes of gold before it became uneconomical to extract more.

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