It's 1pm on the last Friday of the month, three levels below the entrance of one of Bolivia's most primitive co-operative mines, La Candelaria, inside the infamous Cerro Rico (Rich Mountain).

The ancient-looking miners, who universally suffer from silicosis, start drinking 100% puro wood grain alcohol before the buyers come to inspect their meager nuggets.

Thank god for coca.

When you are a miner in Potosí, one picture equals a thousand words....