Dear Evan,

It is always interesting to see the response on certain subjects, and how 
responders analyse, reason & interpret a subject. The above subject has been 
no exception to the rule, but the wheat has been sorted from the chaff, and 
there has latterly been some constructive input. Alan Williams has been the 
only person who has come anywhere close to my general thinking; Phil 
Clifford's comments are appreciated for their professional ethics and 
courtesy, and your note Evan was of course appreciated. I am slightly 
dissapointed that a few of my 'points' were not taken deeper into the whole 
debate, since they are/were pertinent as a point of reference. Yet again I 
had mentioned "openmindedness", but still some of the 'debate' has been 
'tunnel visioned' or, when not, the main subject became 'slightly tangled'. I 
am really very curious as to how my words could be interpreted as 
anti-mining... however! I always believe in seeking all information, hence my 
3 decades of interest and research in/of mining history. 

Mining doesn't run in the family, but a second cousin is a Gen.Mgr. (recently 
above that now I think), for a large group of coal mines 'somewhere' abroard 
owned by a multi..As to my producing anything: well, personally owning & 
operating an opencast opeation & four mines (1 lead/fluorspar), for five 
years (1980/5) as an example should suffice I think: my wide ranging 
activities in mining since1985 is not for open transmission, but they have 
been interesting I think is a good discription! I still retain an involvement 
in mining, but the hotel here in the English Lake District takes more of my 
time now (mines are in fact much easier to run than hotels by the way!!!). As 
a final point: my interest in mining started from five years old onwards 
after finding quartz crystals on local metal mine dumps. I started practical 
mining when I was 17 (some 30 years ago!), working 7 months of the year for 
seven years as it happens (fluorspar/lead), taking no remuneration since I 
wanted to be taught actual experience from real no-nonsense hardrock miners. 
I have heard all the stories over the years (most of them true as it 
happens!), also the adages, the whinges, the moans, the gripes, the tricks of 
the trade, the fiddles, the short cuts, but very importantly the warnings 
that can only come from years of experience - & I learned the ones to listen 
to and, importantly, the ones to ignore to as well! I have a strong natural 
instinct for survival & safety, so take safety & it's procedures very 
seriously indeed - & the history of it as well since there is much to be 
learned from it - the accidents, explosions - gas/dust (which killed many), 
the gassings, the roof falls, etc., etc.. The one thing that has always been 
very plain to me: there is no such thing as an accident, they are always 
caused. There a great many experts out there! - I don't profess to be one 
either!...... I just get on with what I do, and hope I do it passably well! 
Anyway, enough said on this matter I think! Regards,  Bernard





 


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