Cerro de Pasco Mines

Henry Meiggs viewed the completion of the Oroya Railroad and the future of the Cerro de Pasco mines as strongly interconnected. The Cerro de Pasco mines were located high in the Andes and the railroad would provide the means to transport the minerals (such as silver, gold, copper or zinc) down to Lima and even the port of Callao.

Meiggs proposed completion of the railway to Cerro de Pasco, using his own funds. In exchange he sought a grant to all the mineral lands in the area not currently exploited. An agreement was reached with the government on February 3, 1877.

Meiggs assigned William H. Cilley, formerly in charge of railway construction for the Oroya line, to begin the development of the mines. Work on both the railroad and the mines came to a standstill on the outbreak of war between Chile and Peru.

Resources:
Stewart, Watt. 1946. Henry Meiggs: Yankee Pizarro. Durham, N.C.: Duke University. 370 pp.