Description

Constructed in steel, this is a 1-2 replica of the Peña de Hierro headframe in Nerva, one of most emblematic mining sites of the Riotinto area. Headframes, also known as shear legs, are vertical-axis winch machines often used in mines to connect mine shafts with ground level, to transport goods and people using a pulley which hooks onto a metal caged lifting unit. Initially, these featured a cylindrical unit coupled to them and anchored perpendicularly to the bottom part of the rod (or rods) that were attached to the horses that activated the pulley. Later, electricity was used to transport a horizontal unit which was positioned at the top of the tower and protected by a pitched roof.

Historical Background 

This piece was constructed as a monument to mining studies 1901-2003 and inaugurated on Saint Barbara´s Day (Saint Barbara is the patron Saint of miners celebrated on 4 September) in 2003. It was part-financed by the Official School of Mining Engineers of the South and the Official Huelva School of Mining Technicians.