Dear All,
Whilst I know England only is sought in this instance, I can however say
that I had reason to sample certain mine site tailings in the late 1970's
for a Co./me. Many areas were quickly discounted as absolutely worthless for
all gnrl. commercial reasons: Frongoch, Cwm Ystwyth, Esgairmwyn, &
Rhandirmwyn, certain tailings in Derbs., Cumbria and Yorks. & Durham. However
certain dumps in Yorks. still have some interest maybe, all the rest are as dead
as they will always remain to be.
In the course of this work, one tailings dump stands out as a curio, and
this is Nantiago. It's history is more than well documented, but it's plant
processes are not that well. It is one, however, where a very modern gravity
plant for it's day (1920's), stands very well for lead/zinc separation
(Greens had a lot to do here). Indeed, it could be one of the best ref.
examples. Tailings samples taken in the late 1970's demonstrated distinct
phases... whether this was lode occurrence, selective mining of the day, or
separation experimentation is very difficult to determine, but, whatever be the
case, distinct phases were going on, and not in small tonnages. These
tailings were at that time of interest to me for calcite, but only briefly. If
there was a mine I would like to see opened again for tech. reasons, this is
the one... all aspects of it's mineralogy and geology says so.
Regards, Bernard
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