Technical and organisational development of the Derbyshire lead mining industry in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries

Examines factors in success and subsequent decline of Derbyshire Lead industry, which probably peaked at 10,000 tons of lead annually in mid-eighteenth century, but despite a series of attempted revivals, never regained earlier pre-eminence, and was virtually terminated by 1885: the exception was Millclose Mine (not examined) which later became this country's largest ever lead mine. Local legal customs appear to have provided a mildly beneficial effect throughout, without adverse structural effects sometimes claimed. In early and mid-eighteenth century, technologically, the area, with major soughs and early steam engines was a leader, but lagged by the late century. In the mid-nineteenth century an infusion of technology was obtained from Cornwall, but without economic success. Organisationally, the advantage of effective limited liability in mining assisted development of agencies, controlled mainly by smelters, which managed large numbers of shares owned mainly by local trades-people, landowners, etc. Decline led to loss of traditional shareholders, and involvement of a new clientele, mainly from Sheffield, but which proved even more fickle in adversity. Very large amounts of fixed capital were necessary, and found for mining, but in smelting the fixed requirement was small, with a high working capital, and was more amenable to single-ownership. Lead manufacturing was increasingly local, often integrated with smelting, reducing amount of lead available for export. International trade continued to fix, and in the nineteenth century, drive down prices, with production peaks coinciding with price peaks if allowance is made for lag. The principle reason for decline, and failure to maintain U. B. share of production was probably the virtual exhaustion of predominantly small, rich, shallow deposits, by end-eighteenth century

The use of fire in prehistoric and ancient mining-firesetting

The role of firesetting, which prevailed through millennia as the main method of exploitation raw materials in hard rock before black powder was introduced, is described, and the scientific evidence for its effects is examined. Historical and archaeological evidence is used to demonstrate and to show when and how fire was used in different situations. For a better understanding due to the scarce evidence of data from the Near East examples from prehistoric Europe and the Middle and Far East are used.Le rôle du feu, utilisé principalement pendant des millénaires pour extraire les roches dures avant l'introduction de la poudre noire, est décrit et ses effets naturels sont examinés. Les données archéologiques et historiques sont utilisées pour voir leur ancienneté et la manière dont le feu a servi dans différentes situations. Des exemples préhistoriques provenant d'Europe, du Moyen- Orient et d'Extrême-Orient viennent appuyer les données peu nombreuses du Proche-Orient.Weisgerber Gerd, Willies Lynn. The use of fire in prehistoric and ancient mining-firesetting. In: Paléorient, 2000, vol. 26, n°2. La pyrotechnologie à ses débuts. Evolution des premières industries faisant usage du feu, sous la direction de Andreas Hauptmann . pp. 131-149

Technical and organisational development of the Derbyshire Lead mining industry in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Examines factors in success and subsequent decline of Derbyshire Lead industry, which probably peaked at 10,000 tons of lead annually in mid eighteenth century, but despite a series of attempted revivals, never regained earlier pre-eminence, and was virtually terminated by 1885: the exception was Millclose Mine (not examined) which later became this country's largest ever lead mine. Local legal customs appear to have provided a mildly beneficial effect throughout, without adverse structural effects sometimes claimed. In early and mid-eighteenth century, technologically, the area, with major soughs and early steam engines was a leader, but lagged by the late century. In the mid-nineteenth century an infusion of technology was obtained from Cornwall, but without economic success. Organizationally, the advantage of effective limited liability in mining assisted development of agencies, controlled mainly by smelters, which managed large numbers of shares owned mainly by local trades-people, landowners, etc. Decline led to loss of traditional shareholders, and involvement of a new clientele, mainly from Sheffield, but which proved even more fickle in adversity. Very large amounts of fixed capital were necessary, and found for mining, but in smelting the fixed requirement were small, with a high working capital, and were more amenable to single-ownership. Lead manufacturing was increasingly local, often integrated with smelting, reducing amount of lead available for export. International trade continued to fix, and in the nineteenth century, drive down prices, with production peaks coinciding with price peaks if allowance is made for lag. The principle reason for decline, and failure to maintain U.K. share of production was probably the virtual exhaustion of predominantly small, rich, shallow deposits, by end-eighteenth century

Boles and smeltmills

Report of a seminar on the History and Archaeology of Lead Smelting held at Reeth (GB), 15-17 May 1992Available from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:q94/05053 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo