FRESNILLO, a town of the state of Zacatecas, Mexico, 37m. N.W. of the city of Zacatecas. Pop. (1930) 25,204. It stands on a fertile plain between the Santa Cruz and Zacatecas ranges, about 7,7ooft. above sea-level, has a temperate climate, and is sur rounded 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, situated in the neighbouring Proano hill, were discovered in 1569, and were for a time among the most productive in Mexico. There is a station near on the Mexican Central railway.