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Mining can take place only where an economical mineral deposit occurs.
Since the extraction is from what nature has endowed with, no two mines
are similar and operating parameters vary depending on their location
and occurrence.
In the earlier days, importance was for immediate recovery and the
practice usually is to follow the lode, vein or band. This has resulted
in economically unworkable residual deposits and unsafe practices.
Mining was known mostly for working coal because of the prominent role
coal played with everyday life. The transition from crude hazardous
mining to sophisticated safe methods has been very gradual and since the
development of a mine involves heavy financial outlay, it is always done
when unavoidable and out of sheer necessity.
The distinctions between ‘owner’ and ‘miner’ were pronounced and
incomparable. It would be difficult in the present days to visualize the
conditions prevailing then and the methods employed for mining. A few
writers chillingly brought out the general life in mining communities
during that time. For any serious reader it is definitely a must to get
an understanding. Four books that had a deep impact on the community are
referred here and not to be missed.
THE MINING COMMUNITY
THROUGH THE BOOKS
The
Mining Industry has always been in the news since its inception. The
amassing of titanic wealth by the owners, the enormous number of jobs
created, unheard of disasters, environmental lobbyists calling foul and
for a thousand other reasons the industry has always hogged media
attention. Laboratory
of Mining Technology, Athens, Greece has posted some
photographs depicting mining during the 19th century
and early 20th century.
In the nineteenth century, the condition of the workers in the industry
inspired momentous works of fiction that were catalysts for the
Industrial revolution. Though the industry was highlighted for the wrong
reasons in these monumental works of literature, it should take pride
for inspiring classics that changed the destiny of mankind. Let us look
at four all time greats - works which no literature buff or miner should
miss in his collection.
Germinal:
Author: Emile Zola
The book offers a scorching look at a miner's life in the late
nineteenth century in Northern France. The book captures the spirit of
the time, with moving accounts of a society that witnessed the
exploitation of poverty stricken laborers by their wealthy and powerful
mine owners. The chief protagonist, Etienne is a new laborer at the Montsou mine
who refuses to take the inhuman treatment lying down. His struggle
against the all-powerful system reflects a society, which had reached
the threshold and was on the brink of a revolution.
This book is a classic and indeed hordes of people reached out to the
streets with shouts of "Germinal, Germinal" on Zola's death. Indeed this
work is now synonymous with the call against oppression of the working
classes.
For
those who prefer an audio version, Frederick Davidson's narrative will
be a good buy.
A coming-to-age tale of the youngest son of a traditional Welsh family
in a mining town set in the lush fields; this book is a masterpiece
whichever way you look at it. It captures the essence of the closely
knit Morgan family, and the trials and tribulations it faces over a
period of time. Original characters, excellent dialogue and a very
picturesque description of the valley make this truly memorable read.
The blackening of the valley coincides with the chief protagonist's
coming of age. The Morgan family's responses to the changing times
including coal mine disasters, economic troubles and moral issues and
their subsequent reluctant migration to the city is likely to leave the
stoutest reaching for the nearest hanky.
Also available is a 1941 film based on the book. Surprisingly, the film
stays true to the book and Roddy McDowell stages an unforgettable
performance in the role of the youngest son, in whose eyes the valley
undergoes its transformation. Not surprisingly, the picture won Oscars
for Best Director (Ford), Best Supporting Actor (Donald Crisp), Best Art
Direction, and Best Cinematography apart from the "Best Picture" Academy
award.
Stars Look Down
Author: Archibald Joseph Cronin
The author served as a doctor in a coal mine and this helps him to
vividly recreate the life in a "coal mining" colony for his readers. The
story is laced with memorable characters- the trademark of any
A.J.Cronin work - and set in an English town in the post World War I
era. The book traces the life of a young man who grows up in a mining
colony. He is distressed by the suffering and loss of family members and
loved ones due to the inhuman condition prevailing at the coalmines and
enters the political race with a view to reforming the system. His
intentions are thwarted however by his colleagues in parliament, who
care for nothing but power. Disillusioned he returns to the life of a
miner again.
Road to Wigan Pier
Author: George Orwell
George Orwell puts his exceptional observation and narrative skills to
good use here as he recreates life of the coal miners. The book has two
logical halves - one which projects the inhuman and terrible condition
of the coal miners with brutal force and the second which deals with the
subject of evolving socialism rules to suit England. Though probably not
as well known as his "Animal Farm" and "1984", this is a memorable book,
if only for George Orwell's inimitable way of observing well and
recreating it for his reader's perusal.
The yeoman services rendered with the barest of resources those days by
the surveyors, geologists and mining engineers cannot be adequately
expressed.
TRANSITION
The transition from the olden days to the present sophisticated workings
had been gradual. Government Agencies have been hard at work in framing
Acts, Rules and Regulations laying down norms for the employment of
persons in mining industry. Qualifying certification for competent
positions is in force in some countries. Safety was given the required
top priority and with depleting resources of mineral, conservation came
to the forefront. The advancements in geological sciences particularly geophysical
techniques and statistical
applications had
opened up the access to information on mineral deposits hitherto never
even thought of. With the clear understanding of the mineral deposit,
technology-followed suit for maximum economic extraction, Computer
applications and development of software technology have now
revolutionized the thinking and approach of the mining industry. The
opening up of various related fields has opened up the logical follow up
of positions and specialization in the fields and now mining has become
in the real sense teamwork Rapid
advancements in
the equipment sector now make it possible to work old underground
workings with
large open
pit workings eliminating
operational hazards.
The exposure to the community on the mining industry has never been so
much and environmental
awareness and
conservation of resources take precedence in a mining project closely
monitored by Government Agencies, Private Bodies and Associations. The
industry with engineers having technological education background and
established norms and procedures now is moving towards a very
responsible stage and the field is still opening up.
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