Historic mining: Temple Mine, Matlock Bath
Working lead ore in the Peak probably began before the Romans. At least thirty Roman lead ingots have been found, many from a smelting centre, near Wirksworth or Carsington. A stone carving of a Saxon miner found at Bonsall (now in Wirksworth church) is thought to be the world's oldest image of a miner. The Domesday Book (1086) recorded mines at Wirksworth, Matlock and Crich. Ancient mining laws and ‘Barmote' courts originating from the 13 th century or earlier, still operate.
 |
Before the 17th century, smelting furnaces (known as ‘boles') could only cope with larger pieces of ore. New open hearth, and later, cupola furnaces, could process smaller sized ore. Old mines and veins were reopened. Techniques improved. By the 1640s, 20 000 people worked in the industry. The 19 th century, saw steam driven pumps, improved processing and larger companies. There are an estimated 20 000 shafts and adits in the Wirksworth area.
Mixed with lead and zinc ores, were other minerals: baryte and fluorspar and calcite. These ‘gangue minerals' were discarded as waste until about 1900. Now they are more important than lead ore.
Temple mine was originally opened to produce lead ore. It then re-opened in the 1950s to work fluorspar and can now be visited by the public.
|
