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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 ----- Original Message ----- From: "pickin" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 6:51 PM Subject: [MINING-HISTORY] miners and 1851 census Thanks to all on the list who replied to my query about miners and 'lapers' in the 1851 Dumfries and Galloway census. Another question arising from the same census. Two men in the parish of Rerrick are recorded as miners of copper and barytes. Was there much of a market for barytes in the mid 19th century? John Pickin -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.0.408 / Virus Database: 268.13.2/472 - Release Date: 11/10/06