Page 326 - Mexico Diving From the Caribbean to Pacific Isles
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nlike many other mining sites, the in- funded operation was never profitable, and is armed with tentacles laced with teeth.
the mine was finally closed in the 1980s, It also boasts a vicious beak that can tear
U dustrial facilities which are located in when lower-grade ore and old technology fish apart. Humboldt squids gather in the
made continued operation impractical. Baja Sea of Cortez and dine upon other marine
the very middle of the town, were never Mining, a Canadian firm, began intermittent life. Santa Rosalia is known as a base for di-
dismantled. Of particular interest are the exploration of the El Boleo mine and sub- vers in search of one of the ocean’s nastiest
reverberatory furnace and the metallurgi- sequently undertook an effort to reopen El predators. Adult Humboldts form schools
cal converter, although they are currently Boleo. Baja Mining, in partnership with a Ko- of up to 1,200 animals and can swim at an
not accessible by the public due to safety rean Consortium began developing the $1.6 impressive 24 kilometers per hours. They
concerns. The main mining company offices Billion project in 2010. In 2012 however, are known as ‘red demons’ because of their
have been converted into an industrial mu- construction cost overruns reported by Baja vivid coloration and occasionally aggres-
seum. The 2010 census showed a population Mining threatened to halt or delay construc- sive temperaments. If you like edgy en-
of 11,765 persons. The city is the seat of the tion of the project. Majority ownership inter- counters this is definitely a dive that will
municipality of Mulegé. The Boleo Mine is est and control of the project was transferred get your blood pumping but most divers
an unusual sediment-hosted copper-cobalt- to the Korean consortium, in return for fund- that have spent time with them report
zinc-manganese ore deposit. El Boleo was ing the reported cost overruns. Construction that humboldts are shy, curious creatures.
mined by Compagnie du Boleo, a French continues, with mechanical completion and There are certain bays off the west coast of
company, from 1885 until 1954. To prevent copper production targeted for early 2014. northern Baja where humboldts often ag-
the economic collapse of Santa Rosalia and gregate during the late summer months.
surrounding communities, a Mexican state- M onster-sized squids await you when
owned company (CMSRSA) assumed control you dive at Santa Rosalia, The Hum-
and reopened the works using basically the boldt squid can grow up to six feet long and
same (rather archaic) equipment and pro-
cess used by the French. The government
