History of Gallarta

1. History of Gallarta :
the mine

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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.

5. Altos Hornos
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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. The END
 To finish, here you have a lively traditional Basque song!!!
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcIix3avHu0
 By Andrea and Eider