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METAL MINING PERFORMANCE IN DAYS OF HAND BORING AND GUNPOWDER Purpose of Web Site This web site is intended for those interested in the practical aspects of mining before the days of machine drilling and high explosives. At present it is confined to records of mining at Wheal Agar in the 1850's but it is probably fairly representative of other copper mines of that era. In the future I am hoping to expand the site to include other archives. About the Author In 1954 while a student at the Camborne School of Mines I was presented with an original mine Cost Book of Wheal Agar covering the period from October 1855 to November 1859. Since retiring I have enjoyed making a study of the Cost Book and wish to share the wealth of information it contains. The aim of this web site is to provide a summary of activities at the mine during the years in question and to illustrate the rate of progress and costs of mining. I hope also it will help to give an appreciation of the daily hardships and drudgery by men whose tools were strength and skill, working in the most unhealthy conditions in order to earn a meagre wage to support their families. For those who would be interested in more detailed information I have written up the study in the form of a booklet with 72 pages, and in addition have a large data base on computer. The name of the booklet is 'A Study of a Mine Cost Book - Wheal Agar, October 1855 - November 1859'. |
