It may be relevant that page 44 of the English language version of the Stora
Kopparberg history (copyright date 1979) recalls the effects of the major
cave-in in the following words:
" For decades to come, instead of mining solid rock, operations consisted of
sifting the masses of rubble. It became evident that the golden age of the
Mine was drawing to a close. After 1691, production never reached 1,500
tons of copper a year."
Maybe this also pointed towards the end of Swedish dominance as the European
source.
Martin
----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter King" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 01, 2009 2:55 PM
Subject: Re: Early Tamar Valley Copper Mining
>I have the strong impression that there was virtually no copper mining in
> Britain from perhaps the 1630s until the invention of cupola smelting in
> 1687. This is in my view because the European market was glutted with
> cheap
> Swedish copper. ~~~~
>
> Peter King
> 49, Stourbridge Road,
> Hagley,
> Stourbridge
> West Midlands
> DY9 0QS
> 01562-720368
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: mining-history [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of
> Rick Stewart, Morwellham Quay Mine Manager
> Sent: 01 September 2009 11:29
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Early Tamar Valley Copper Mining
>
>
> What documenary evidence is there for pre eighteenth century copper mining
> within the Tamar Valley? The earliest references that I have come across
> are early eighteenth century Bedford Estate leases held in the DRO.
>
> Dines and (Ithink) Hamilton Jenkin both note that Virtuous Lady is
> reputed
> to have been worked in the 16th Century.
>
> A more recent reference (Rippon, Claughton & Smart, 2009) notes "there
> is,
> however, good documentary evidence that some copper - bearing ores were
> being worked in the Tamar Valley by at least the first decade of the
> fourteenth century."
>
> Can anyone elucidate?
>
> Many thanks
>
> Rick Stewart
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