Robert Hunt A4 PB 94pp

An account of the mines and refining methods of the 1870's written by Robert Hunt who was keeper of Mining Records at the time and originally published in Ure's Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines of 1878. This is a facsimile reprint although the text has been enlarged by 30% for improved clarity. The accounts of mining and metallurgy of lead are supplemented by its industrial uses in making lead shot and lead compounds, particularly white lead which was widely used as a pigment, sugar of lead, occasionally and illicitly used as a food sweetener. Mercury was widely used for its ability to absorb other metals into an amalgam. The world-wide production and methods of refining are described. Also included are some details of the London Lead Company's peat processing works in Teesdale.