Juan Godoy

Juan Godoy was a Chilean prospector and woodcutter who in 1832 discovered an outcrop (reventón) of silver 50 km south of Copiapó in Chañarcillo.[1] This event sparkled the Chilean silver rush.[1] He successfully claimed the discovered outcrop in his name and the name of José Godoy and Manuel Gallo.[1] The finding attracted thousands of people to the place and generated significant wealth.[2]

Juan Godoy
Statue of Juan Godoy in Copiapó
Born
Juan Godoy

1801
Near Copiapó, Chile
Died1842 (aged 4142)
Copiapó, Chile
NationalityChilean
Known forDiscovered the silver ore of Chañarcillo

According to folklore Godoy was guided to the riches of Chañarcillo by an alicanto.[3]

The mineral juangodoyite (Na2Cu(CO3)2) was named after him in 2005.[4]

References

  1. Villalobos, Sergio; Silva, Osvaldo; Silva Fernando and Estelle, Patricio. Historia de Chile. Editorial Universitaria 1995. First Edition: 1974. p. 469-472.
  2. Los ciclos mineros del cobre y la plata. Memoria Chilena.
  3. Montecino Aguirre, Sonia (2015). "Alicanto". Mitos de Chile: Enciclopedia de seres, apariciones y encantos (in Spanish). Catalonia. p. 47–48. ISBN 978-956-324-375-8.
  4. Reconocimiento a los personajes de la geología de Chile a través de la mineralogía
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