Has any any good photos of (in particular) in situ fluorspar mineralisation?. Intersted more in general mineralisation rather than "pretty" bits, which there are plenty of photos of. This would be for a proposed paper on the South Western fluorspar industry, probably for British Mining (which would mean it would have to be worth including as a monochrome shot).
Although most old texts would suggest this industry was fairly insignificant, total production in fact amounted to somewhere around a quarter of a million tons, notably from Wheal Gorland Wheal Unity and the Bere Ferrers mines, largely in the period 1815-1840.
I have been told there is or was a large(?) stockpile of fluorspar somewhere around St. Day, but not sure quite where.

I have some of banded fluorite veins in the North Pennines - perhaps not suitable?

Are you aware of the prospecting done by North Pennine miners for fluorspar in Cornwall & Devon in the early 1970s? I think that one of the Derbyshire small firms put up the money.

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Although most old texts would suggest this industry was fairly insignificant, total production in fact amounted to somewhere around a quarter of a million tons, notably from Wheal Gorland Wheal Unity and the Bere Ferrers mines, largely in the period 1815-1840.
I have been told there is or was a large(?) stockpile of fluorspar somewhere around St. Day, but not sure quite where.

What were they using fluorspar for in the early nineteenth century?

Fluorspar mining didn't start in the north Pennines until the last quarter of the century when the mineral began to be used as a flux in steel making.

Acid.

Lozz.

I thought it was mostly used for pottery glazes early on?!?!?!

I think HF was not something in anyone's lab until the 20th cent

What were they using fluorspar for in the early nineteenth century?

Flux in copper smelting - Cornish fluorspar was mostly used in the Swansea district.

What were they using fluorspar for in the early nineteenth century?

Flux in copper smelting - Cornish fluorspar was mostly used in the Swansea district.

ain't it grand that you can learn summat every day

As most of these minerals are fluorescent I am sure there will be a nice underground photo with a bright UV lamp - will check with mineral collecting colleagues to see if they have one.
As for "Flourspar" - that can be found on the shelves of your local corner shop 🙂

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[Are you aware of the prospecting done by North Pennine miners for fluorspar in Cornwall & Devon in the early 1970s? I think that one of the Derbyshire small firms put up the money. ]


Was not aware of this, do you have any more details?

According to BGS statistics Cornwall produced an undisclosed quantity of fluorspar in the 1970's, but I have no idea where from. Had approached the Minerals Planning Authority to see if there were any planning applications re fluorspar, but it sounds like its not easy to trace these without knowing the locations.
Devon produced some about 1980, a small mill was set up to treat old dumps but apparently not much got due to high sulphide (?As) content. When I visited the site a few years later only foundations remained - does anyone have any photos of this in operation? Havn't given the exact location here because it's on private land, but it was not in the Tamar Valley area). That mine also has possibly substantial amounts of spar in situ above adit level.

Albert Rochach of Deepwood Mining was working spar near Buckfastleigh in the late 70s early 80s from Derbyshire.
I helped bring the 3 bay Jig back to Fine Grinding at Eyam.