Minas do Camaquã: Mining History and Landscapes

A blue open-pit lake, preserved industrial facilities, and Morro da Cruz give Minas do Camaquã a distinctive character. The landscape tells the story of copper mining, while the water and hills offer their own opportunities for activities. When planning your visit, it is worth first deciding whether you want to focus mainly on mining history, views and hiking, or water sports.

The Open-Pit Lake and Traces of Mining

An accumulation of rainwater and the stabilization of the groundwater level created a blue lake in the open-pit mine. It is located in an open-pit crater and is said to be 150 meters deep. The combination of the crater’s shape and the water keeps mining visible in today’s landscape.

The preserved industrial facilities of Companhia Brasileira de Cobre (CBC) give visitors a sense of the scale of mineral extraction and processing. The mining complex also includes underground galleries developed for copper extraction. The mine’s industrial area is also called a “ghost town.” The Camaquã copper mine dates back to 1865. Together, these features give a concrete impression of how closely the area’s history is tied to the extraction and processing of copper.

Morro da Cruz: Hills, Views, and Activities

Morro da Cruz, also known as Pedra da Cruz, is about 215 meters high and forms a group of four hills arranged in a row. From there, visitors can see the mining village, Arroio João Dias, and the landscape around the mining area. A hiking trail leads to the summit; the hill’s physical features also make mountaineering, climbing, trekking, and hiking possible. These options offer different ways to experience the landscape. Check local access and safety conditions before setting out.

If you want to include a viewpoint in your plans, Morro da Cruz is a destination in its own right, alongside a visit to the industrial facilities and the open-pit lake. The activities listed are not interchangeable: hiking and trekking are on the list, as are climbing and mountaineering.

Water Activities and Getting There

Water sports can be practiced at the João Dias Reservoir. Canoeing is also possible in the Minas do Camaquã – Cava Uruguai area. These are two distinct points to consider when planning activities on the water. Before your trip, check the current local operating conditions for water sports and whether a canoeing provider is available.

A visit to the Minas do Camaquã area requires an advance appointment with the company operating there that offers tourism and adventure sports. Confirm the current appointment arrangements before your trip. The mining complex can be reached via the unpaved RS-625 road. This access information and the required appointment are practical points to consider alongside your choice of activities.

When looking for a vacation rental, the different areas of interest can guide your trip planning: mining and industrial history, views and activities at Morro da Cruz, or activities on the water. First decide which of these sides of Minas do Camaquã you want to discover, and plan accordingly. An advance appointment remains an important step for visits to the area.

More Landscapes in the Wider Destination of Caçapava do Sul

The wider destination of Caçapava do Sul also offers geological attractions with their own distinctive character. Pedras das Guaritas are reddish sandstone formations shaped by erosion into steep, ruiniform shapes, surrounded by Pampa grassland. In the Jardim da Geodiversidade Professor Maurício Ribeiro, an outdoor exhibition features large blocks representing the area’s main rock types. There is also a life-size paleo-artistic reconstruction of a ground sloth of the genus Megatherium. These regional sights complement the distinctive combination of mining and landscape that defines Minas do Camaquã.

For the wider trip overview: Caçapava do Sul.