Martin Potts says, inter alia
"Mining Journal has a complete set of MJ and indeed Mining
Magazine and much else, but this is not generally available for
consultation as far as I know".
When I worked for Mining Journal Ltd, we did have people coming
in and looking up old copies of Mining Journal. In those days (1979-
1996) so far as I know, no charge was ever made for looking at them,
and I doubt if it would be now. Some of the bindings of the books are
in a pretty sorry state, so opening them up flat to put them in the
photocopier is not a good idea.
If anyone wants to go to 60, Worship Street, London, EC2 to consult
old copies of the Journal or Magazine, them I suggest they first
telephone either Dr. Chris Hinde, director i/c Mining Journal, or the
editor, Roger Ellis, on 020 7216 6060.
When Martin Potts says "..and much else.." then I think he is being
optimistic. Back issues of Mining Journal Ltd publications are held,
as are annual reports of many contemporary mining companies
worldwide, but limitations of filing space mean even these are only
held for two to three years.
There is no photo library, no past records of any kind, other than the
publications themselves, because there is no space in the building
for such things. Mining Journal Ltd has moved offices several times
over the years since 1835, and each time there has been a major
clearing out.
Mining Journal may be a long running publication of great interest to
mining historians, but as chairman Michael West pointed out in the
editorial which marked the Journal's 150th anniversary in 1985, to
the editors and staff, even last week's issue is history, and the matter
uppermost in the mind of anyone on the staff is what news is there to
put in next week's issue and the ones after that? Their mind-set is
perforce forward looking.
Tony Brewis
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