Old school shaft mining

Girlsgottawrite

Girlsgottawrite

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I was wondering if anyone could point me to some good information on shaft mining for metal (18th/19th century practices). I'm finding stories about miners, but I need practical information about the mines. For example, right now I'm trying to find out what you would call the part of the mine that is being actively mined as opposed to the entrance shaft and closed off shafts. I'm also interested in some methods used like I read about miners heating up the rock then pouring water on it to cool it suddenly so it breaks, but I couldn't find much else. Any information you could give, books, websites, etc. would be very much appreciated!
Thanks!!!
 
waylander

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"A History of Tin Mining and Smelting in Cornwall" by DB Barton looks like it may have what you want. Alternatively you could try contacting one of the mine museums in Cornwall such as Geevor (www.geevor.com) or Poldark (www.poldarkmine.org.uk) or Camborne School of Mines
 
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WeaselFire

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Girlsgottawrite said:
For example, right now I'm trying to find out what you would call the part of the mine that is being actively mined as opposed to the entrance shaft and closed off shafts.
Click to expand...

Strangely enough, it's called the active area. :)

You could call it the vein, the deposit, or several other names, but it really kind of depends both on what's being mined and where it's being mined. There are quite a few books on gold an silver mining techniques in the US, and you might contact the various mining associations. Try:

https://www.nevadamining.org/
https://www.sierracollege.edu/ejournals/jsnhb/v2n1/miningtechniques.html
http://www.greatmining.com/shaft-mining.html

For British terms (also used in the US):

http://www.genuki.org.uk/files/eng/LAN/Haydock/MINEGLOS.txt

Might also contact the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, they have a great museum staff and can answer a ton of questions like this:

https://www.sdsmt.edu/

Jeff
 
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