Hi guys. I'm new to the site, so here goes. I'm a fiction author, writing a novel set in a fictional mountain top town next to/near some open mine copper workings. Although it's not specified, the town is fictionally set in Israel/the Middle East or there or thereabouts. I've joined Aditnow to try and get some more info from you experts, if that's ok. I'd like to get a picture of what an open cast mining might look like, what tools they used (one site I saw said the spades in olden times were made of alder wood, is that right), what infrastructure they might need (e.g. water supply, mules, donkeys, carts, roads up the mountain etc.) The novel is set in a time where the people have some metal work, but not much in the way of mechanisation, no cars, no mechanised pumps etc. More questions a. What is the process involved in extracting the ore from the ground, i mean do they just dig a big hole and them smelt what's there. b. what is needed to set up a smelting oven, if that's what it's called. c. are there any examples in the world or in history that I could use as a template e.g. i kinda think the wild west and it's gold rush might hold some clues and some info for me. d. are there any images I could look at to get an idea of what these places looked like. e. Is there a book for example which might have this kind of detail in it, fictional or preferably non-fiction. f. Another question that's bugged me, is how do the locals who live near the copper mine not get copper poisoning (in the food or water)? When and how does the copper enter the water supply/table? As you can see, I'm in need of a lot of help here, so any and all info and references to books or website would be greatly appreciated. i'm not aiming to be an expert in copper mining, but I'd like to add some authentic and accurate information into the novel. Many thanks in advance for any help given.