Resumen

ARANA SANTANDER, Ely Gloria. Study of fuel in the production costs: silver exploitation and benefit in Potosí (1880-1990). Rev. Fuent. Cong. [online]. 2017, vol.11, n.51, pp. 06-17. ISSN 1997-4485.

Silver a mineral resource exploited from the colonial was the mineral that, from the beginning of the Colony, supported the Spanish crown. By the beginning of the 19th century it faced serious problems, leading to a lower production. After overcoming a number of issues during the beginnings of the Republic, mining enjoyed a new cycle of economic prosperity. In this new situation, the old problems of silver mining switched for different, emerging ones. The depreciation of silver's price was reflected in the production costs of each company. Faced with this decrease, the cost of importing materials increased; lack of fuel became an addition problem. One of the issues that remained throughout the entire 19th century was the lack of workers. In the midst of this situation, companies sought how to maintain their economy and tackle the new economic adversities of the market.

Palabras llave : Mining companies; Traditional fuel; Production costs; Cost of profit; Operating cost.