# Alquife mines

> Mines in Alquife, Spain

**Wikidata**: [Q6016871](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6016871)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alquife-mines

## Summary
The **Alquife mines** (Spanish: *Minas de Alquife*) are a former mining complex and industrial heritage site located in the Granada province of Spain. Active from 1870 to 1996 during the late modern period, the site was a major producer of iron ore. The complex spans multiple municipalities and includes extensive infrastructure such as a mining village, hospital, barracks, and industrial buildings, and is recognized as a *Bien de Interés Cultural* (Site of Cultural Interest).

## Key Facts
- **Location:** Alquife, Aldeire, Jérez del Marquesado, and Lanteira, Spain.
- **Coordinates:** 37.1926°N, 3.1158°W (most precise value).
- **Elevation:** 1,142 meters above sea level.
- **Period of Operation:** Late modern period (Start: 1870 – End: 1996).
- **Primary Product:** Iron ore.
- **Heritage Status:** Declared *Bien de Interés Cultural* on July 26, 2010.
- **IAPH Code:** 01180180029.
- **Native Name:** Minas de Alquife.
- **Also Known As:** Marquesado mines, Minas del Marquesado, Minas de hierro del Marquesado, Coto minero de las minas de Alquife.

## FAQs
### Q: Where are the Alquife mines located?
The mines are located in the Andalusian region of Spain, spanning the municipalities of **Alquife**, **Aldeire**, **Jérez del Marquesado**, and **Lanteira**.

### Q: What materials were extracted at the Alquife mines?
The primary material produced at the site was **iron ore**.

### Q: What is the historical significance of the site?
The mines are significant for their operation during the **late modern period** (1870–1996) and their status as a **Bien de Interés Cultural** (Site of Cultural Interest), a designation they received in 2010. The site contains a diverse range of industrial and community structures, including a hospital, barracks, offices, and a mining village.

### Q: What specific structures make up the mining complex?
The complex is composed of multiple facility types established between 1870 and 1996. These include the **mine** itself, **industrial buildings**, **offices** (established circa 1900), **barracks** (circa 1900), a **hospital** (circa 1900), a **bridge** (built 1930), and a **village** (established 1956).

## Why It Matters
The Alquife mines represent a significant chapter in Spain's industrial history, specifically in the extraction of iron ore. Operating for over 125 years, the site serves as a comprehensive example of a company town evolution, evolving from basic industrial works in 1870 to a self-contained community complete with medical facilities, housing (village), and administrative offices by the mid-20th century. Its designation as a *Bien de Interés Cultural* underscores its architectural and historical value, preserving the legacy of mining in the Granada province and the Marquesado region. The site's complexity—integrating a castle, a planned village, and specialized industrial infrastructure—makes it a key point of study for industrial archaeology and heritage management in Spain.

## Notable For
- **Longevity:** Continuous operation from **1870 to 1996**.
- **Heritage Protection:** Designated a **Bien de Interés Cultural** in 2010.
- **High Altitude:** Situated at an elevation of **1,142 meters**.
- **Complex Infrastructure:** Contains a rare combination of industrial, administrative, and social facilities (hospital, barracks, village) within a single mining complex.
- **Historical Integration:** Incorporates the **Alquife Castle** within its property boundaries.
- **Extensive Alias Network:** Known by multiple regional names including *Minas del Marquesado* and *Coto minero de las minas de Alquife*.

## Body

### Location and Geography
The Alquife mines are situated in the **Marquesado** region of Granada, **Spain**. The physical site spans four distinct municipalities: **Alquife**, **Aldeire**, **Jérez del Marquesado**, and **Lanteira**.
- **Coordinates:** The most precise coordinates place the site at **Latitude 37.1926, Longitude -3.1158**. An alternative reference coordinate is Latitude 37.19042, Longitude -3.10296.
- **Elevation:** The mines are located at a significant altitude of **1,142 metres** above sea level.

### Operational History
The site was active during the **late modern period**.
- **Start Date:** Operations began in **1870**.
- **End Date:** Operations ceased in **1996**.
- **Output:** The facility was dedicated to the production of **iron ore**.

### Site Components and Facilities
The "Alquife mines" entity encompasses more than just extraction sites; it is a multi-faceted complex with various functional zones established over distinct time periods:
- **Mine:** The core extraction facility (1870–1996).
- **Industrial Building:** Processing and support structures (1870–1996).
- **Office:** Administrative facilities established in **1900**.
- **Barracks:** Worker accommodations established in **1900**.
- **Hospital:** Medical facilities established in **1900**.
- **Bridge:** Infrastructure built in **1930**.
- **Village:** Residential expansion established in **1956** (known as *Poblado de Minas del Marquesado*).
- **Historical Structures:** The complex includes **Alquife Castle** as a distinct part of the property.

### Heritage and Cultural Designation
The mines are legally protected under Spanish heritage law.
- **Designation:** **Bien de Interés Cultural** (BIC).
- **Declaration Date:** **July 26, 2010**.
- **Identifier:** The site is tracked under the **Guía Digital del Patrimonio Cultural de Andalucía** with the ID **i29192** and the **IAPH Code** **01180180029**.

### External Identifiers and Data Links
The entity is indexed across multiple global and regional knowledge systems:
- **GeoNames ID:** 2513860
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/1220901b
- **Global Energy Monitor Wiki ID:** Alquife_Mine (Internal ID: 136396)
- **GNS Unique Feature ID:** -392109
- **Who's On First ID:** 1125814407

### Media and References
- **Wikimedia Commons:** Categorized under "Alquife Mines."
- **Wikipedia:** Available in Spanish (es), Cebuano (ceb), and Commons.
- **External Description:** Cataloged by the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) at `https://www.icmm.com/en-gb/research/data/2025/global-mining-dataset`.

## References

1. Digital Guide to the Cultural Heritage of Andalusia
2. GeoNames