 The gold rush of 1500–1508 ensued, and Ovando expropriated the gold mines of Miguel Díaz and Francisco de Garay in 1504, as pit mines became royal mines for Ferdinand, who reserved the best mines for himself, though placers were open to private prospectors.Furthermore, Ferdinand kept 967 natives in the San Cristobal mining area, supervised by salaried miners.Under Nicolás de Ovando y Cáceres' governorship, the Indians were made to work in the gold mines.