FRESNILLO

fresnillo, a town of the state of zacatecas, mexico, 37 m. n.w. of the city of zacatecas on a branch of the santiago river. pop. (1900) 6309. it stands on a fertile plain between the santa cruz and zacatecas ranges, about 7700 ft. above sea-level, has a temperate climate, and is surrounded by an agricultural district producing indian corn and wheat. it is a clean, well-built town, whose chief distinction is its school of mines founded in 1853. fresnillo has large amalgam works for the reduction of silver ores. its silver mines, located in the neighbouring proano hill, were discovered in 1569, and were for a time among the most productive in mexico. since 1833, when their richest deposits were reached, the output has greatly decreased. there is a station near on the mexican central railway.