The Aragonese

In the history of mining in Chile and Argentina The Aragonese (Spanish: Los Aragoneses) were two renowned Spanish miners from Aragon active in the independence era. They are known for their mining discoveries, some of them historical and other legendary. During their time in the Andean mining districts they also garnered attention for their foreign manners and clothing. ), arrived to the area of La Rioja in 1810 from Copiapó with the aim to reach Peru. In the account of Oreste Plath the two men were escaping the political upheaval in Chile through the inland roads of the Inca road system to reach the Royalist stronghold of Peru.

Descriptions of the land routes and discoveries of The Aragonese circulated for decades among Chilean miners after their departure. In the folk memory of pirquineros of La Rioja it has been hinted The Aragonese were Jesuits in disguise looking to exploit the mines the company had before the suppression of the Society of Jesus in 1767.