In response to the request for information re early barytes mining, in 1763
a lease of mines at Middletown Hill, Montomeryshire, to John Wilkinson the
iron master, reserved spar (presumably barytes which was later mined there
& at the adjoining Bulthy mine)to the land owner, suggesting its value was
then recognised.
Incidently when I visited this mine c 1980 there were signs of recent work,
apparently by the owners of the adjoining quarry, although this may have
just involved reworking of the tips. Anyone know anything more - I have not
been back there since.
Alasdair Neill.
On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 21:33:23 +0100, M J Shaw <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>Heavy spar was mined at least once in 1729 by the London Lead Co from their
>Netherheath mine in Shropshire. It was sent to London for unspecified
>purposes.
>Muirshiels mine, Renfrewshire is known to have been operating, opencast, by
>1750, I have no idea where the product went or what is was wanted for.
There
>was a mine at Barlocco near Auchencairn, Dumfries and Galloway, which is
>said to have been worked for quite a considerable time before any records
>were kept, it closed in 1862. I believe that this mine (and one, later, at
>Auchencairn) was in the parish of Rerrick.
>
>In the first half of the 19th century production stepped in Shropshire and
>no doubt many other places with several mines and mills working in the
>1830s.
>
>18th century uses for barium chemicals (from barytes, unless they could get
>witherite) included dyeing, bleaching, pigments, ceramics (Wedgwood's
>jasperware was
>59% barytes) and medicines. It may well have been used in cosmetics (as it
>still is) presumably for its dense whiteness. By the mid 19th century it
was
>used for ceramics and paint in some quantity and I imagine that some of
>inert filler uses would have started by then, perhaps in paper or oilcloth
>production.
>Barytes is not toxic or it could not be used for barium meals, the
>more reactive compounds are significantly toxic being used as rat poisons
>and insecticides.
>
>If anyone has any other information on mining or use of the material prior
>to 1850 I would be interested to hear of it.
>Michael Shaw
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