[13] continente del cobre, the “copper continent.” Note the use of the preposition.
[14] Hubo un tiempo, There was a time. Note the impersonal use of haber.
[15] tres cuartas partes, three fourths.
[16] por falta de, because of the lack of. VARIANTS: Porque faltan (or no hay, escasean) capitales.
[17] De los filones ... muchos se consideran, Of the veins (or lodes) ... many are considered.... VARIANT: Muchos de los filones ... se consideran.
[18] se le exporta más que se le trabaja, more is exported than worked (used). Note the use of que when the action of one verb is compared with that of another.
[19] en opinión de algunos, in the opinion of some; according to the ideas of some. VARIANTS: Según algunos; según se dice.
[20] hasta ahora, up to now; up to the present time. VARIANT: Hasta hoy; hasta este momento.
[21] Por lo cual. Note that this clause might very well have followed the preceding as part of that sentence.
[22] es menester, it is necessary. VARIANTS: Es necesario; se precisa; hay que.