Guided Visit to Mina Du Veloso

Explore Mina Du Veloso on a fascinating journey through historic underground galleries, African mining techniques, and the cultural heritage of Ouro Preto.

Mina Du Veloso is a remarkable example of African ingenuity in the search for gold during the 18th and 19th centuries. Inside the mine, visitors can identify and experience a wide range of technical and cultural aspects of colonial-era gold mining.

The site features more than 400 meters of tunnels connecting chambers supported by stone pillars. Throughout the entire route, visible marks remain from the labor of enslaved African miners. The visit is led by a trained guide who explains each detail and highlights the customs and daily lives of these African workers in the mining areas.

Beyond mining itself, the tour also presents important elements of the society and economy of the former Vila Rica—now Ouro Preto—as well as aspects of the region’s geology. The guide further emphasizes how this period of Brazilian history continues to shape the present, encouraging reflection on themes such as race, ethnicity, identity, labor, exploitation, and empowerment.