Juan Godoy

Juan Godoy (1800 – 1842) was a Chilean prospector and woodcutter who in 1832 discovered an outcrop ("reventón") of silver south of Copiapó in Chañarcillo. This event sparkled the Chilean silver rush. He successfully claimed the discovered outcrop in his name and the name of José Godoy and Manuel Gallo. The finding attracted thousands of people to the place and generated significant wealth.
According to folklore Godoy was guided to the riches of Chañarcillo by an alicanto.
The mineral juangodoyite (Na2Cu(CO3)2) was named after him in 2005.