Iglesias, Malacalzetta mine

The mine is located in a vast wooded area.
Already affected by a concession in 1872, it passed from hand to hand also due to problems related to water infiltration, particularly critical for wells, until the acquisition by the Pertusola company, which relaunched the construction sites, integrating them with those of the Is Arenas mine. In 1969 it became publicly managed and abandoned in 1986.
In the wide valley, a clearing opens up where the rooms for bachelor workers are placed, spaced apart, on one or two floors, based on serial openings (door and window).
In a tree-lined square, on the other hand, you can see the remains of the village with the management, offices, infirmary, cellar and club, variously preserved. In all cases, these are simple functional constructions.
In the town of Baueddu, there is a small laveria supported by arches near the calcination furnaces, massive square-shaped stone buildings and oblique walls.
The mine is part of the Geominerary, Historical and Environmental Park of Sardinia, recognized by UNESCO.

History of studies
The Iglesias mining plants are mentioned in several works on industrial archeology in Sardinia.

Bibliography
S. Mezzolani-A. Simoncini, Sardinia to save. Landscapes and architecture of the mines, Nuoro, Sardo Photographic Archive, 1993, pp. 160-166.

How to get there
The Malacalzetta lead-zinc mine can be reached by the SS 126 that goes from Iglesias to Fluminimaggiore. About 5 km from the city, take the SP 89 road, which crosses the village of San Benedetto, and then return, through a suggestive route, to the settlement located at the foot of Punta Campu Spina.