Real de Tayopa Tropical Tramp
Gold Member
Hi, for a period in the early day of mining, the Salt production was a royal monoploy. Salt was critical in the initial days of mining since they used the patio process which consisted in subjecting the finely ground ore to the action of sprinkled salt, etc., which reduced the precious metal to a Chloride, which in turn, easily allowed the final processing for smelting.
By controlling the salt production, the King crudely controlled the metal production, a sort of pre tax on production. Later, when Mercury deposits were discovered, he switched to control of the Mercury for the same reason.
Don Jose de La Mancha
By controlling the salt production, the King crudely controlled the metal production, a sort of pre tax on production. Later, when Mercury deposits were discovered, he switched to control of the Mercury for the same reason.
Don Jose de La Mancha