I used to do a lot of 3D modelling of mines between 1989 and 1994 when I was
Senior Mining Engineer with SRK in Cardiff. It was usually a revelation to
see how the various bits fitted together, particularly if there was a
drilling dataset to go with it. I used Gemcom software, good stuff though
far from free! I would also very much like to know the website of any
freeware which can be used for this sort of work.
In the UK, the very large Parys Mountain drilling dataset was as far as I
know never integrated with the old mine plans, though I know that some sort
of model has recently been put together. That really would be fascinating to
see, particularly as it is the only UK orebody that I know of that has any
serious chance of being mined one day.
On a somewhat different topic, are people aware that the last English mines
of non-stratified mineral deposits are about to close? The last Weardale
mine at Frazers Grove (not so far from Nenthead) and the last serious
Derbyshire mines (Laporte) are to close before the end of the year - beaten
by imports of cheap Chinese fluorspar. Very sad to see, yet I know of
absolutely no interest in preserving present day remains. I'm not so
familiar with the Laporte operations, but Frazers I used to know quite well
and it is absolutely classic hard rock mining as it used to be. Is there any
serious interest or will these be levelled as effectively as most other
recent mine closures?
It seems bizarre to me to be fascinated by the remains of 16th or 19th
century mines yet to stand by and let these more recent operations
completely vanish - which they will do very rapidly.
Martin Potts MSc C. Eng MIMM
Mining Engineer and Mining Analyst (not many left these days!)
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