The earliest reference I have to what was to become called Witherite is
Josiah Wedgwood's used of small quantities of it in Jasperware which was
perfected 1770. He obtained the mineral from Anglezark mine in Lancashire.
Jasperware also contained a significant quantity of barytes which is said to
have come from Derbyshire.
Mike Shaw
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ian Spensley" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, November 21, 2011 10:25 AM
Subject: [mining-history] Witherite (Barium Carbonate)
> Dear list,
>
>
> By chance I found production figures for Witherite, (Barium Carbonate) at
> Virgin Mine in Wensleydale from 1843 to 1847. This was earlier than I'd
> expected. It made me think that production of associated minerals may
> have
> been more widespread than surviving records suggest.
> The value of Barium Carbonate was about £4 10s a ton at the time, so any
> duty paid to the mineral owner would be small. I've certainly not seen
> any
> record of duty until the 1890’s.
> It must have been at least a part of the mines income and just wondered
> how common the mining of associated minerals was. I wonder, in the
> absence of
> mine accounts as proof, has anyone else found written evidence in a
> mineral owner’s records?
> Thanks
> Ian Spensley
>
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