Juan Godoy
Juan Godoy | |
|---|---|
 Statue of Juan Godoy in Copiapó | |
| Born | Juan Godoy 1801 Near Copiapó, Chile |
| Died | 1842 (aged 41–42) Copiapó, Chile |
| Nationality | Chilean |
| Known for | Discovered the silver ore of Chañarcillo |
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]
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
- ^ a b c Villalobos, Sergio; Silva, Osvaldo; Silva Fernando and Estelle, Patricio. Historia de Chile. Editorial Universitaria 1995. First Edition: 1974. p. 469-472.
- ^ Los ciclos mineros del cobre y la plata. Memoria Chilena.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Reconocimiento a los personajes de la geología de Chile a través de la mineralogía