I suspect that rich material was very limited in quantity as only about 17
tons of metal from 180 tons of ore is recorded in official statistics
between 1866 and 1868, the mine closed in 1870.
Mike Shaw
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Mason" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, April 09, 2010 2:10 PM
Subject: Re: [mining-history] The Shropshire Copper Co.Ltd, 1867
I did a surface survey of Westcott mine with the late David Bick about 13
years ago or so.
From what was in the tips, this must have been quite a rich occurrence of
copper mineralisation, albeit low-tonnage. Massive chalcocite (much richer
in Cu than chalcopyrite) and chunks of solid malachite, both to 10cm or
more, were recorded. Nothing exciting from a specimen point of view but they
show the richness of the ore.
This style of supergene copper mineralisation occurs at a number of mines in
the area: Huglith, Wilderly and Cothercott also have showings, but Westcott
seemed especially rich.
Cheers - John
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