David,

In reply to your note below, R. Alan Williams has written an exhaustive
history of the Berehaven Copper Mines [originally published in 1991 by the
Northern Mine Research Society, British Mining No. 42, and re-publisehd in
1993 by the Kenmare Bookshop, Co. Kerry, Ireland].  While most of the book
deals with the pre-1900 history of these mines, he does cover the 1899 -
1911 period very briefly [pp. 176 - 177].  He notes a short lived attempt to
re-work the mines during the period between 1900 - 1903 [Berehaven Copper
Mine Ltd], and again in 1905 by Directors associated with the 1900-1903
phase. He further notes that a separate group was also active in the area at
the same time, the Cluin Copper Development Syndicate Ltd, managed by a
Harold J. Harris. This latter group had obviously ceased operations by 1908,
the date of mine abandonment plans.

Unfortunately the name of William John Oates is nowhere mentioned in
connection with any of these ventures. Names that are mentioned are:
John Alexander Wylie, Liverpool
Robert Walker, 6, Oriel Chambers, Water St., Liverpool
William Lewis Boyle, Elsing Hall, East Dereham, Norfolk
George H. Blenkinsop, Melbourne Place, Swansea

Company names: Berehaven Copper Mine Ltd, formed 1902; and the United
Exploration Co. Both registered at 19, St. Swithins Lane, London.

Maybe some of this information will provide you with a lead.  In addition,
if you wish to contact me direct,I'll give you Alan's contact details and
perhaps you could follow up the matter direct with him.

Best wishes,
John Morris,
Treasurer, Mining Heritage Society of Ireland.

-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask]
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Rattray
Sent: 23 March 2000 10:01
To: Minning History
Subject: Cornish Miner - William John Oates


Hi All

I hope you can help me. I wish to try an find out more information on the
mines and William John Oates residency at these mines.

Any information gratefully received.

David Rattray

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------

William John Stewarts father name is William John Oates 1878-1917. Trained
as a mining engineer.

He started work as working at Unity Wood Chasewater.

Worked in the silver mines Areguipa Peru, managed by his uncle William
Oates.

Worked in Hunacgacha Mines, Bolivia.

In 1888 Uruguay appointed mine manager to Hermano Goldfields.

In 1891 worked in Peru with Mineria de Portara, and then Calyoma Silver
Mining Co. Then in 1895 worked at Acari mines.

In 1897 worked in USSR reporting on Ural gold fields reporting to the Ural
Gold fields Ltd.

In 1898 worked in Rhodesia on mines in Matabeleland apparently causing some
controversy at the time.

In 1902 started work at silver mine Chiapas Mining in Mexico the silver ran
out by 1904 resulting in the mine being closed.

1906 he took work with the Berehaven Syndicate managing their mine in County
Cork. But unfortunately the previous manager pressing for quick profit had
"picked the eyes out of the mine", and as a result made it very dangerous.
The syndicate were unable to fund the rectification of the mine.

Worked for short while at Wheal Jane in 1907.

Returned to Peru in late 1907 working at Huinac Copper mines. Worked at Arub
Australian Gold Mines in Penang Malaya between 1909-1911.

1909-1911 worked as mine manager at Arub Australian Gold Mine in Penang
State of Malya.

Then worked as manager at Wheal Jane for 2 years from May 1911 .

During the war he managed a Wolfram mine near St Neot (Cornwall) in 1916.

In 1917 went to Argentina to work at Mineral de Salada Rodea in the province
of San Juan.





%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%