[2] In the 18th century the richest area of Huantajaya was known as Criadero and tuberous aggregates of silver dug there were known as papas (lit.

[1] One of the largest such papas, weighing 800 pounds, was unearthed in 1729 and sent as gift to the King of Spain.

[1] Irregular supplies of mercury from Spain, required for the recovery of the silver, was another difficulty 18th century miners in Huantajaya had to deal with.

[1] Spanish authorities regulated mining compelling miners to register their production in the Royal Treasury of Carangas in the Altiplano.

In 1780 the Caja Real de Arica was opened in the city of Tacna giving miners the possibility of registering their production at a much closer locality.