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Whoever puts together a listing of "historically important mines" should include, if this is meant to be of global scope, those mines that did play a significant role in the development of world mining and the world economy, such as --the Huancavelica "Sta Barbara" mercury mine in Peru, the only mercury mine of any significance in South America --The Potosi silver mnountain, without pinpointing any one mine --any number of silver mines in Mexico --any number of gold mines in Colombia --a number of rather recent tin (placer) mines in the Brazilian jungle (Rondonia) which took Brazilian cassiterite ore production from zero to No. 1 in the world for a few years --The Sao Joao del Rei gold mine in Brazil --The big iron ore mine in the Brazilian Northeast --Stora Kopperbarget in Sweden --The famous silver mines of Laurion outside of Athens and so on, endlessly. An interesting project. Good luck. Best Helmut Waszkis -----Original Message----- From: mining-history [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of JOHN BERRY Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2003 9:47 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: historically important mines Don't forget the geological aspects. (1) Geological uniqueness/classic example of type: In the US White Pine Copper in Michigan (the only large shale-hosted stratabound Cu deposit in N.Am., one of only 3 such in the world (Kupferschiefer, Zambian Cu-Belt). Cornish Tin and Kaolin deposits (both unique & classic)), Parys Mtn (only? ?Sedex Cu in UK). (2) Quality of Mineral Specimens/Importance in development of mineralogical science: In the UK the Lake District hematite mines (famous for the quality of specimens), Peak Didtrict Blue John mines; Scottish strontianite mines/occurrences. (3) Importance in evolution of geological science: Cornwall, Peak District, Welsh anthracite mines. As with other reasons for historic designation - no need to preserve every example (e.g. all tin mines in Cornwall), but only representative or outstanding examples (e.g.: in Cornish case perhaps a mine that has been extensivelty studied and shows paragenesis and alsdotransition to Cu ores at depth). John John Berry Associates Geology & Remote Sensing 5000 Beverly Hills Drive AUSTIN, TX 78731, U.S.A. +1-512-452-8068 (Voice) +1-512-413-9270 (cell) [log in to unmask]