The fumarolic activity at Putana lays down deposits of sulfur on the volcano, including one high cliff that was reported to be covered with sulfur in 1952. This sulfur was mined at the summit of the volcano, which is thus accessible by a road. Putana sulfur was noted to be extremely pure in that same year. It has been mined and transported down by truck from elevations of , one of the highest altitudes at which motor vehicles have been used. The Carnen sulfur mine is found on the southeastern flank, and more mines are found on neighbouring mountains. Operations in the Putana mine ceased in 1972.