On the Morphology of Barite
Crystals from
Silverwood Colliery, South Yorkshire
Brian A. Prowse
This article concerns the morphology of one of the barite crystals found
at British Coal's Silverwood Colliery, Uttley, S. (1987).
Minerals from the Basalt Breccia
Exposed in the Redpa Quarry,
North-Western Tasmania, Australia
H. D. C. Heron
Some eighteen mineral species, several aesthetically crystallised, have
been reported from a small quarry near Redpa in Tasmania. Although well
known amongst Tasmanian collectors, specimens from this deposit are little
known elsewhere. Apart from the work of Sutherland, Corbett and, more
recently, Polden, very little appears to have been written on this quarry's
mineralogy. Brief descriptions are presented for all the species reported
to date.
The Camborne School of Mines
Geological Museum
Dr. R. Lesley Atkinson
Twelve years ago I read that it takes ten years to set up the average
museum. I could not believe it. How could putting together a collection
of rocks and minerals take so long? Now that I am still only halfway through
such a project at the Camborne School of Mines I consider it a very conservative
estimate.
Exchanging Minerals
Eric Otty
Self-collected mineral form the basis of many collections and may bring
pride and joy to the owner, but to build up a representative collection
further variety has to be introduced. Specimens can be acquired from dealers
who accept commissions or from their tables at shows. This may prove expensive
though, as good quality specimens do not come cheap. A more satisfying
way of obtaining specimens is by exchanges with other collectors, which
can lead to personal friendships and perhaps, a new approach to the hobby.
This is also a way of reducing the amount of surplus material acquired
during field trips.
Zeolites
Alan Dyer
Onita Wilson
Zeolites are hydrated aluminosilicate minerals. They were recognised
first in 1756 as a new group of minerals by the Swedish geologist Cronstedt,
who noted the intumescence of stilbite - i.e. the way in which the crystals
visibly lost water when heated in a blowpipe. This observation led him
to name the group 'zeolites' from the Greek, meaning 'boiling stones'.
Mining of the Basal Permian Sands
West Yorkshire
J. & P. Hodgkins
The area between Garforth and Pontefract, Yorkshire is well known for
its extensive coal industry. However, there have been other extractive
industries there in the past; for limestone, marl and sand. Vast tonnages
of Basal Permian Sand were mined over the centuries - this article is
a brief history of that forgotten industry.
Lead & Zinc Mining in the Ewden
Valley
South Yorkshire
B. Moore
This report is a compilation from diverse written sources, recollections
collected at the beginning of the century and physical evidence of lead
and zinc mining in the Ewden Valley, Stocksbridge.
Pandora's Crystal Box
David Melville
Being a miner in the Cornish tin mines a couple of decades ago was all
about survival of the fittest. You had to be super strong both physically
and mentally in order to survive. Any weaknesses and you would be "dead-legged"
out of the mine.
The Minerals of Rhuba a'Mhill,
Islay, Scotland
David I. Green
This locality, situated in a relatively remote part of Scotland is notable
for the copper chloride mineral paratacamite, and also for crystalline
quartz, calcite, dolomite associations.
Wheal Gorland
A Personal Recollection of Visits Made
During 1976 and 1977
Arnold Fisher
It seems appropriate that one of the first colour articles for "Rockbottom"
should be devoted to Wheal Gorland, as it is the tenth anniversary of
the removal of the dumps from the famous crossroads at St. Day. Despite
the excellent articles written by Steve Rust in 1981 and more recently
by Stefan Weiss there is much to be said and many minerals to be photographed
from this mine. Peter Embrey and Bob Symes' long awaited book displays
clearly in its photographs why there is still so much interest in its
minerals. I have no intention of competing with any of these authors on
the description of the lodes and complete descriptions of all the minerals
obtained historically or in rephotographing the finest specimens on display
in the British or Truro museums. This is a personal account of my association
with Wheal Gorland, together with photographs of some of the most characteristic
specimens of the mine.
Mineralisation at the Goldthorpe/Hickleton
Complex, South Yorkshire
Steve Uttley
Following the discovery of a barite/dolomite/pyrite mineral assemblage
at Silverwood Colliery; S. Uttley (1987), a keen interest was taken in
any further mineralisation at other collieries. The mine geologist for
the Goldthorpe/Hickleton complex, John Wilson, discovered dolomite mineralisation
in November 1987, within a faulted zone. He examined it and visually identified
a very similar assemblage to Silverwood, the predominant mineral again
being dolomite with lesser pyrite and barite. I was myself invited to
investigate the site later the same week. This article relates to this
investigation and the samples collected by myself and John Wilson.
Minerals of The Dome Rock and Mutooroo
Copper Mines, South Australia
Andy Paterson
The Dome Rock and Mutooroo copper mines are situated in the Eastern zone
of the Olary mineral province in the State of South Australia. Both were
relatively small deposits of fairly rich ores. Chalcocite and chalcopyrite
were the chief ores mined.
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