Des Cowman has asked me to post to the "mining history" list his reply to a
recent query concerning "Avoca Sulphur".
John Morris,
Mining Heritage Trust of Ireland
Dear Fredk,
Your inquiry was passed on to me. Up to 1839 sulphur was seen as a waste
material from the copper mines of Avoca, being used for trunking roads, for
instance. A crisis over Sicilian sulphur that year suddenly greatly enhanced
the value of the waste and even the roads were ripped up. Sulphur production
peaked in the early 1850s reaching 100,000 tons p.a..
Hope that helps,
DES COWMAN
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