Top 10 Mines in Brazil: From Ouro Preto to Carajás
Brazil's mining heritage is dominated by the colonial gold cycle of Minas Gerais — and by the iron-ore megamines of Carajás and the gemstone fields of Bahia.
Ouro Preto (UNESCO)
A baroque colonial gold city, inscribed in 1980, with the Mina do Chico Rei and Mina da Passagem accessible to visitors.
Mina da Passagem, Mariana
A 17th-century gold mine in Minas Gerais; the largest gold mine accessible to visitors in the world, with an inclined railway descending 120 metres.
Diamantina (UNESCO)
A colonial diamond town, inscribed in 1999, with a mineralogical museum and surrounding garimpo trails.
Mina do Chico Rei, Ouro Preto
Named for an enslaved African king who bought his freedom and that of others with gold from this very gallery.
Carajás Iron Mine, Pará
Vale's flagship iron-ore mine, the world's largest single iron deposit, with very limited but possible visitor access.
Serra Pelada Memorial, Pará
The infamous 1980s gold rush site documented by Sebastião Salgado; now an open-pit lake and memorial.
Sabará, Minas Gerais
A small baroque gold town near Belo Horizonte, with the Museum of Gold.
Lavras do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul
An 18th-century gold-and-copper field with surviving mine workings.
Goiás Velho (UNESCO)
A colonial gold town in central Brazil, inscribed 2001.
Minaçu and Niquelândia Nickel Mines
Goiás nickel district with a small museum.
Planning your route
These ten sites span very different climates, languages and accessibility levels. Group them by region, allow a full half-day for each underground descent, and remember that in the tropics underground workings are often warm and humid rather than cool — check conditions for each site in advance. Local guides are often retired miners — their commentary is the single best part of any visit.
Keep exploring
Every site mentioned here, with opening hours, accessibility notes and links to nearby attractions, is on our interactive map.