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Cerro Bolívar Iron Mine

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Industrial site
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Cerro Bolívar Iron Mine (Venezuela)

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The Cerro Bolívar iron mine, located in the Bolívar State of Venezuela near Ciudad Piar, is one of the most significant iron ore deposits in South America. Discovered in 1947 by the Orinoco Mining Company, a subsidiary of U.S. Steel, the mountain was found to be composed of exceptionally high-grade hematite. Mining operations officially commenced in 1954, transforming the regional economy and leading to the construction of a dedicated railway and the port of Puerto Ordaz on the Orinoco River. The ore extracted from this site has historically been vital for the global steel industry, particularly in the United States. Today, the mine is operated by the state-owned CVG Ferrominera Orinoco and continues to be a cornerstone of Venezuela's industrial infrastructure. Despite decades of extraction, the site remains a symbol of the country's vast mineral wealth and the engineering challenges overcome to transport ore from the Guayana Highlands to international markets.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C272930302927262727282727
Rain mm3615214311318017415092878356

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?
Cerro Bolívar is a legendary mountain of nearly pure iron ore, the discovery of which marked the beginning of Venezuela's massive steel industry. It serves as a key raw material source and a symbolic site of the country's industrial heritage.
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Visiting
The open-pit mine is not open to the public, but the impressive mountainside can be seen from the surrounding highway. Visits are typically only possible from the outside, with a view of the terraced mining levels.
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Where to view it
The best viewpoint is the road between Ciudad Guayana and the mine, from which the reddish color of the ore is clearly visible. Another vantage point is from the hill near the town of Upata.
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Local products
The region primarily trades industrial products like steel and iron ore, but travellers can also buy local handicrafts from Ciudad Guayana. Seasonal tropical fruits such as papaya and pineapple are available in nearby markets.
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Active season
Mining takes place year-round, with peak production during the dry season from December to April. Loading for export via the Orinoco River is particularly intense during these months.
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Nearby
Combine the visit with the industrial city of Ciudad Guayana, home to the massive CVG Siderúrgica del Orinoco steel plant. Also nearby is the Salto Angel waterfall in Canaima National Park, a worthwhile destination.

Geography

Coordinates
7.51670, -63.38330

Facts

  • Discovered in April 1947 by geologists of the Orinoco Mining Company.
  • The deposit originally contained an estimated 500 million tons of high-grade ore.
  • Mining operations began in 1954 following the completion of the 146-kilometer railway.
  • The iron ore grade at Cerro Bolívar is approximately 63% pure iron.
  • It is located at an elevation of approximately 800 meters above sea level.
  • The mine is currently managed by the state-owned entity CVG Ferrominera Orinoco.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Fortín El ZamuroFortín El Zamuro35 km · SEExplore →
Angostura BridgeAngostura Bridge37 km · SEExplore →
Caruachi Hydroelectric PlantCaruachi Hydroelectric Plant69 km · NEExplore →
Orinokia BridgeOrinokia Bridge72 km · NEExplore →
Sidor Steel PlantSidor Steel Plant73 km · NEExplore →
Alcasa Aluminum PlantAlcasa Aluminum Plant74 km · NEExplore →
Ferrominera Orinoco OperationsFerrominera Orinoco Operations86 km · NEExplore →
Palúa Iron Ore PortPalúa Iron Ore Port90 km · NEExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Cerro Bolívar Iron Mine (3)

Cerro Bolívar🌿 nature

A notable mountain peak recognized for its significant iron ore deposits.

Salón del Reino de los Testigos de Jehova📍 landmark

A local Kingdom Hall serving the Jehovah's Witnesses congregation.

Iglesia San Cristóbal⛪ religious

A Christian church building dedicated to Saint Christopher.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is the Cerro Bolívar mine?
A huge open-pit iron ore mine in southeastern Venezuela.
Can you visit the mine?
No, it is a strictly guarded industrial area.
What makes it special?
It is considered one of the richest iron ore deposits on Earth.
How is the ore transported?
Via a specialized railway line to processing sites on the Orinoco.
Is there nature to see?
The surrounding Guayana region is rich in pristine nature.
Cerro Bolívar Iron Mine: where is it located?
Cerro Bolívar Iron Mine is located in Venezuela.
Cerro Bolívar Iron Mine: what is there to see?
Highlights include Cerro Bolívar, Salón del Reino de los Testigos de Jehova, Iglesia San Cristóbal.
Cerro Bolívar Iron Mine: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.
Cerro Bolívar Iron Mine: why is it worth visiting?
The Cerro Bolívar iron mine, located in the Bolívar State of Venezuela near Ciudad Piar, is one of the most significant iron ore deposits in South America.
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History & landmarks

Angostura Bridge — Cerro Bolívar Iron Mine (Venezuela)
Angostura Bridge
The first suspension bridge over the Orinoco River, connecting Ciudad Bolívar with the rest of the country.
Orinokia Bridge — Cerro Bolívar Iron Mine (Venezuela)
Orinokia Bridge
The second major bridge over the Orinoco, representing a strategic link for heavy industry.

More places

Fortín El Zamuro — Cerro Bolívar Iron Mine (Venezuela)
Fortín El Zamuro
A fortress on a small hill in Ciudad Bolívar, used during military conflicts.
House of the Congress of Angostura — Cerro Bolívar Iron Mine (Venezuela)
House of the Congress of Angostura
A significant historic building where Simón Bolívar delivered his famous Angostura address in 1819.
Caruachi Hydroelectric Plant — Cerro Bolívar Iron Mine (Venezuela)
Caruachi Hydroelectric Plant
A modern and powerful hydroelectric plant on the Caroní River, crucial for powering Venezuela's heavy industry.
Matanzas Industrial Port — Cerro Bolívar Iron Mine (Venezuela)
Matanzas Industrial Port
A heavy-duty industrial port that directly serves the massive steel and aluminum plants in Ciudad Guayana.
Bauxilum Alumina Plant — Cerro Bolívar Iron Mine (Venezuela)
Bauxilum Alumina Plant
The crucial link in Venezuela's aluminum production chain, where mined bauxite is converted into alumina.
Sidor Steel Plant — Cerro Bolívar Iron Mine (Venezuela)
Sidor Steel Plant
The gigantic Siderúrgica del Orinoco steel plant is the industrial heart of Ciudad Guayana and Latin America.
Venalum Aluminum Plant — Cerro Bolívar Iron Mine (Venezuela)
Venalum Aluminum Plant
A massive primary aluminum production facility that benefits greatly from the abundant hydropower of the Caroní River.
Alcasa Aluminum Plant — Cerro Bolívar Iron Mine (Venezuela)
Alcasa Aluminum Plant
A pioneer of the Venezuelan aluminum industry in Ciudad Guayana, specializing in the production of aluminum sheets and foils.