Visiting one of Mexico's richest mines (1586−1960s) provides an insight into source of wealth and the terrible price paid for it. Digging for hoards of silver, gold, iron, copper and zinc, enslaved indigenous people worked under horrific conditions. Up to five people a day died from accidents or tuberculosis and silicosis. These days, it's a safer story. An elevator or miniature train takes you inside Cerro del Grillo. Guides lead you along floodlit walkways past shafts and over subterranean pools.
The mine has two entrances. To reach the higher one (the east entrance), walk 100m southwest from Cerro del Grillo teleférico station; from this entrance, tours start with an elevator descent. To reach the west entrance from the town center, walk west along Avenida Juárez and stay on it after its name changes to Avenida Torreón at the Alameda. Turn right immediately after the IMSS hospital (bus 7 from the corner of Avenida Hidalgo goes up Avenida Juárez and past the hospital) and a short walk will bring you to the mine entrance. Tours begin here with a trip on the narrow-gauge railway (540m), after which you walk another 350m or so.
