Do you
call something or someone outdated and appearing to be
no longer relevant in the present context a “museum-
piece”? Think again. Everyone knows that museums
preserve rare specimens, artifacts and exhibits for
posterity. But for a mining museum to represent the age,
atmosphere and feel requires special care by dedicated
persons.
Geological museums:
Geological museums
provide an opportunity to get an exposure of the
wonderful gift from nature. Anyone who is frequently
visiting museums would have noticed fine mineral
specimens and gems in the geological section. Mining
yields specimens which otherwise could never see the
light of the day and some of the exhibits show rare
characteristics that they become a rarity.
What does
a geological museum exhibit? Generally good specimen of
minerals, crystals, fossils, exposed formations and
gemstones. We also find that the mineral associations
and crystal formations enhance the richness of display.
Some museums also display objects related to extraction
and processing of minerals. While these exhibits are
spread all over the world a few call for special
mention:
The Lavrion area is noted for its
variety of minerals.
The Mineralogical Museum of
Lavrion maintained by
Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Greece has some rarities
like
serpierites,
spangolites, laventulanites, apart from beautiful
specimens of azurite, adamsite, smithsonite, etc. While
at Lavrion, the 19th century
Mining Complex of
Camariza
is not to be missed .
Sterling Hill
Mining Museum
The
museum and 200 years of history are just one hour drive
from New York is the locality with almost 10% of all
known minerals in the world. And as if this is not
overwhelming, there are about 80
fluorescent
mineral species and the display is
seen to be believed. The details of how to reach, the
timings, and rates of admission are all available and
the guides make the visit totally spectacular. Never to
be missed.
Geological museum of Japan
has
a good collection of rocks from all over the world.
Mining Museums:
How does the mining
museum differ from a geological museum? The technology
has been playing a major role only recently in
understanding the geologic structure. In the earlier
days, one followed the instinct and literally followed a
lode or vein while mining. This speculative and more
often hazardous method did not permit visitors outside
the mining community. The brave efforts of men and women
in battling nature went unnoticed. Working of each mine
differed from one another and was dictated by natural
occurrence of mineral . While some thrived there were
also failures. Such ventures were just abandoned and the
ghost towns came about.
Ghost towns:
The mining industry
however has played its part in creating awareness
through some mining museums. These museums provide a
living environment and a physical experience. Some of
the outstanding museums around the globe call for
special mention. It takes extraordinary vision and
efforts to resurrect “a ghost town”.
Jerome
Chambers of Commerce’ has done just that. In preserving
Jerome, the historic mining town in Northern Arizona,
care has also been taken for providing the amenities for
a visitor to experience "live-in" and salivates the past
age. A visitor relives the times when the town was in
its elements. A visit to Jerome is not to be missed.
There is a
web ring
for anyone to
get in touch with the like–minded regarding ghost towns.
One of a kind:
New Mexico Mining Museum
is stated to
be the only underground uranium mining museum in the
world. There is a self-guide tour which allows anyone to
set one's own pace to experience the atmosphere and
environment of an underground mine. The information and
details of work underground and equipment is
fascinating.
Coal and
Diamond:
Under suitable geological conditions coal turns to
diamond. But the wait? The mining museums offer
immediate access from switching over to diamond from
coal. We are fortunate that someone had taken pains to
preserve the rich history by resurrecting the conditions
for us. It is now possible for anyone to visualize the
environment and learn and all it takes is a visit.
Illawarra
district in New South Wales takes
us back 200 years with the discovery of coal.
Bulli Miners Cottage
dates back to 1871-1874 and is protected under the
Heritage Act of NSW. The cottage was purchased by
Wollongong City Council in 1990 and is managed by a
management committee representing the Council,
community, mining industry and unions. Visits are
allowed on the first and third Sunday each month between
10 pm and 3 pm. This is then the place to relive the
history.
The
museum
is located in Benham in Harlan County, Kentucky where
mining history dates back to 1900's. The museum takes
pains to bring to the knowledge of a visitor about how
coal was formed. In addition to the exhibits and visuals
there is also a video narration creating a complete coal
mining experience and timeline.
Bruges,
the capital of West-Flanders, Belgium houses one of the
5 diamond museums in the world. The museum takes one
from the 15th century through to the 20th century. One
could learn the origin of diamond in the museum. The
experience is enriched with photos, texts and exhibits
which include tools, major resources, jewelry over the
ages and even full scale models of famous jewelry. The
geological model, sections, paintings keep us rooted to
the museum. The highlight of course is the live
demonstration of diamond polishing daily.
The Living environment:
The
geological museum of Japan
has excellent models and create a living environment.
While the coverage includes focus on Japan and seismic
forces, the coverage on the living environment is not to
be missed. Some of the highlights include :
living fossils like
Coalescence
and
Metasequoia
that are no longer extinct as thought but are
living.
New oceanic crusts are formed
with the ejection and solidification of magma. How
do these find their way to the
Pacific Plate
and form at a rate of 3-10
centimeters annually? These are some of the
fascinating facts to look for when one visits the
museum.
The videos on the solar system and
living
earth. are not to
be missed. The displays at the entrance are very
impressive.
A step
in the right direction
While it is true that the
present exploration techniques make it possible to have
a second look at all the abandoned properties, many of
the abandoned mines remain as such. The technological
developments in mining have made mining almost an art
and with the foreknowledge of the deposit, planning and
working are carried out to a nicety. The advancements
now available make it possible to work the mines to a
degree of safety which at one time was considered
impossible. Mines these days are no longer black holes
but are technological wonders specially designed for the
geological structure being worked. With the degree of
safety, it is increasingly possible for visitors to have
a look at these mines and actually live in the
atmosphere like never before. The mining museums
admirably fill the gap.
End
Note:
This article touches not
even the tip of the iceberg. The article highlights some
of the focused action around the globe and efforts to
resurrect the past.. The mining museums are living
testimony of the resourcefulness of the mining industry
and are to be seen and felt.
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