copper mining in Jamaica:
17th century
1841
THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND ARCHITECTS JOURNAL June 1841
Copper Mine. - The copper mine recently discovered in Jamaica is in Mount Vernon, a huge mountain six miles to the East of Kingston. The lodes run from east to west, with a dip to the north. The veins of ore are found in the neighbourhood of Lucky Valley estate, in the parish of Port Royal, and at the base of the mountain. The richest ore is a sulphuret, yielding 40 per cent of metal. This ore is obtained in immense quantities from a shaft which opens on a small stream sufficient to carry away the debris. Several hundredweights have been sent to London and Swansea for smelting, great difficulty having been experienced in performing this operation perfectly in Jamaica, from the want of reverberatory furnaces. There is also a carbonate which yields 11 per cent. of metal by the humid process. This is a very beautiful ore, and occurs in what is called abon rock. The matrix consists principally of lime stone, argillaceous sand-stone, slate, schist, and a fine black sand-stone. The black sulphuret, which is abundant, is obtained in masses resembling wet and rotten coals, soft when extracted from the mine, but hardens in the sun, and is full of pyrites.When dry it is perfectly friable. The situation of the mine is convenient, being only three miles and a half from the sea, and the road is a gradual descent to the harbour, Bull Bay, where there is good anchorage for vessels. It may be added that the mine is in full operation, a company having been formed, and all the shares bought up. When the packet left Jamaica, Senor Don Rennaldo, the captain of the Cuban mines, had been applied to for assistance and advice, and was daily expected there.
Copper Mine. - The copper mine recently discovered in Jamaica is in Mount Vernon, a huge mountain six miles to the East of Kingston. The lodes run from east to west, with a dip to the north. The veins of ore are found in the neighbourhood of Lucky Valley estate, in the parish of Port Royal, and at the base of the mountain. The richest ore is a sulphuret, yielding 40 per cent of metal. This ore is obtained in immense quantities from a shaft which opens on a small stream sufficient to carry away the debris. Several hundredweights have been sent to London and Swansea for smelting, great difficulty having been experienced in performing this operation perfectly in Jamaica, from the want of reverberatory furnaces. There is also a carbonate which yields 11 per cent. of metal by the humid process. This is a very beautiful ore, and occurs in what is called abon rock. The matrix consists principally of lime stone, argillaceous sand-stone, slate, schist, and a fine black sand-stone. The black sulphuret, which is abundant, is obtained in masses resembling wet and rotten coals, soft when extracted from the mine, but hardens in the sun, and is full of pyrites.When dry it is perfectly friable. The situation of the mine is convenient, being only three miles and a half from the sea, and the road is a gradual descent to the harbour, Bull Bay, where there is good anchorage for vessels. It may be added that the mine is in full operation, a company having been formed, and all the shares bought up. When the packet left Jamaica, Senor Don Rennaldo, the captain of the Cuban mines, had been applied to for assistance and advice, and was daily expected there.
1853 Illustrated London News
1853
1854
1857 JAMAICA ALMANAC
MINES.
Clarendon Consolidated Copper Mining Company.
Offices in London - 29, Moorgate Street.
Directors in Jamaica - Hon. Edward Thompson, George S. Airey.
Mining Capt - Captain Harper.
Solicitors in Jamaica. - Messrs. Hill and Airey, Kingston.
___________
The Wheal Jamaica Copper Company.
(Registered under 17 Vic. cap. 32.)
CAPITAL - £100,000.
SHARES - 100,000 at £1 each.
This Company is conducted on the Cost-book principle:
Committee of Management - Richard J. C. Kitchins (Chairman).
Directors. - James Derbyshire, Peter Alexander Espeut, William Girod, William S. Cooper, R.N.
Mining Agent. - George B. Nethersole, C.E,M.C.
Purser. - John West.
Office. - No 4, Lower East Street.
__________
Ellerslie and Bardowie Copper Mining Company,
Capital Stock - £50,000, in Shares of £1 each.
Established on, the Cost-book principle, Feb. 1855.
Trustees, - Hon. Alexander Bravo and Thomas N. Cripps.
Chairman - Stephen Weise Mais
Committee of Management. - James Bell, Peter A. Espeut, Richard James C. Hitchins, Colin Campbell.
Auditors. - Thomas Breakspear, William Girod.
Purser. - Joseph G Smith.
Mining Capt. - Joseph Arthur.
________
Rio Grande Copper Mining Company.
Registered under 17 Vic. cap. 32. (Limited Liability Act)
Capital £60,000 in Shares of £1 each. Conducted on the Cost-
book principle
Committee of Management. -- Richard James C. Hitchins, James Derbyshire, William Girod, Peter Alexander Espeut, William Barclay.
Mining Capt., William Arthur.
Purser. - Edward W. Hitchins.
Solicitor. - Donald Campbell.
Office. - No. 4, East Street, Kingston.
The mines of this Company are situated in the mountains near Port Antonio, in the Golden Vale District, and the properties on which the mines are located comprise an area of about 5000 acres.
___________________
NOTE - There are a couple of Copper Mines in the Island, which, according to the statements made in the public newspapers, are being worked most successfully by private individuals.
Clarendon Consolidated Copper Mining Company.
Offices in London - 29, Moorgate Street.
Directors in Jamaica - Hon. Edward Thompson, George S. Airey.
Mining Capt - Captain Harper.
Solicitors in Jamaica. - Messrs. Hill and Airey, Kingston.
___________
The Wheal Jamaica Copper Company.
(Registered under 17 Vic. cap. 32.)
CAPITAL - £100,000.
SHARES - 100,000 at £1 each.
This Company is conducted on the Cost-book principle:
Committee of Management - Richard J. C. Kitchins (Chairman).
Directors. - James Derbyshire, Peter Alexander Espeut, William Girod, William S. Cooper, R.N.
Mining Agent. - George B. Nethersole, C.E,M.C.
Purser. - John West.
Office. - No 4, Lower East Street.
__________
Ellerslie and Bardowie Copper Mining Company,
Capital Stock - £50,000, in Shares of £1 each.
Established on, the Cost-book principle, Feb. 1855.
Trustees, - Hon. Alexander Bravo and Thomas N. Cripps.
Chairman - Stephen Weise Mais
Committee of Management. - James Bell, Peter A. Espeut, Richard James C. Hitchins, Colin Campbell.
Auditors. - Thomas Breakspear, William Girod.
Purser. - Joseph G Smith.
Mining Capt. - Joseph Arthur.
________
Rio Grande Copper Mining Company.
Registered under 17 Vic. cap. 32. (Limited Liability Act)
Capital £60,000 in Shares of £1 each. Conducted on the Cost-
book principle
Committee of Management. -- Richard James C. Hitchins, James Derbyshire, William Girod, Peter Alexander Espeut, William Barclay.
Mining Capt., William Arthur.
Purser. - Edward W. Hitchins.
Solicitor. - Donald Campbell.
Office. - No. 4, East Street, Kingston.
The mines of this Company are situated in the mountains near Port Antonio, in the Golden Vale District, and the properties on which the mines are located comprise an area of about 5000 acres.
___________________
NOTE - There are a couple of Copper Mines in the Island, which, according to the statements made in the public newspapers, are being worked most successfully by private individuals.