The Minerals of Meadowfoot Smelter

David I. Green

All substances which came into being during smelting and slag formation are not minerals. Substances which form in cavities after dumping and through the action of the atmosphere and water are minerals. The ruined Meadowfoot Smelter is situated 1.5 miles north west of Wanlockhead in the Scottish southern uplands. (Grid Ref. NS 865144). Access is by following the road from Wanlockhead, and along the banks of Wanlock Water. Site remains are extensive, stretching from the banks of the stream up one of the spurs of Sowen Dod. The slag dumps have received considerable attention from mineral collectors, particularly since the discovery of elyite in 1982.

Cap Garonne
Secondary Copper and Lead

W. R. van den Berg

Mineralogically, the mines of Cap Garonne have been well known in Europe for a long time. The recent increase in micromount mineralogy in France has led to an in-depth study of the minerals of Cap Garonne, as a result of which a large number of minerals have been identified at this locality for the first time.

Knoydart Scotland

Roy Starkey

This article describes a little known and infrequently visited pegmatite locality in the Western Highlands of Scotland.

The occurence is mentioned briefly in the H.S.M.O. publication 'British Regional Geology: Scotland, the Northern Highlands (Phemister, 1960)' and also in the Institute of Geological Sciences Report No. 69/5 (Berridge 1969). The deposit is noteworthy, not only for it's remoteness and inaccessibility, but for the large crystals of muscovite mica and beryl which occur there.

Coldstones Quarry

Carol Ryde

Coldstones Quarry is situated three miles from Pateley Bridge on the B6265 Pateley Bridge to Grassington road. The quarry is surrounded by old lead mines and it is thought that the vein outcrops were worked by the local Celtic tribe, the Brigantes. The Garnet Vein forms a loop with the Sun Vein on the north east side and cuts through the Coldstones Dome.

Post-Mining Minerals of Tynebottom Mine, Cumbria

Steve Rust

Tynebottom Mine is located 0.75 km N.W. of Garrigill village just west of the South Tyne river. The minerals visually recorded are mainly copper and lead sulphates, being found underground in the 'flats' above the High Adit.

Levant Mine

Trevor Wolloxall

There are few museums in the world that do not possess fine specimens of chalcocite from Cornwall. Some of the finest of these specimens came from the Levant Mine. The Levant Mine was also known as the 'Mine Beneath the Sea'. Its richest working lay far out beneath the bed of the North Atlantic, extending more than a mile from the shore and 700 metres below sea level. Although the Levant Mine ceased production in 1930, the old workings of the mine were purchased by Geevor Tin Mines (PLC) in 1956. Recent events have however made its future uncertain .

Micro Minerals from Dyfngwm Mine

Steve and Don Rust

Dyfngwm Mine is located 13.5 km north-west of Llanidloes (Grid Ref S.N. 852931) on the plateau above and north of the Afon Clywedog. The mine is on private land and permission must be obtained from the owner.