This post is to satisfy my inner need to write about these rocks, or mixes thereof … equally I don't want to bore you – I'm generous that way, aren't I? – tempt/inform you … but let you do the wandering …
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| Various crystals - found in Canada |
Many scientists had wondered why so many of the Roman buildings are still intact after 2,000 years, while recent ones fall down or 'think about' collapsing …
I'd visited Canterbury Cathedral (in 2015) where repairs were being carried out after part of the stone tracery from the Great South Window had collapsed … details in links.
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| Scaffolding seen when I visited Canterbury Cathedral |
Recently scientists appear to have found the magic ingredient behind ancient Rome's self-healing concrete …
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| A large volcanic Tephra at Brown Bluff, Antartica - a particularly large tephra |
It is believed that Tephra ... a fragmental material produced by volcanic eruption … is the magic ingredient the Romans added into their building mix … allowing damaged areas to self-heal before further building disaster occurred.
Next – Polyhalite – a natural multi-nutrient fertiliser – a by-product from the potash mined under the North York Moors/North Sea.
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| North York Moors |
It's only recently been realised how environmentally valuable Polyhalite is – they use it on the hallowed turf at Wimbledon - four nutrients are found in one product - the Anglo-American site is informative.
The Polyalite layer of rock happens to be of motherlode proportions … the only known deposit being mined anywhere in the world, now shipped where needed as an organic agricultural fertiliser – so this country suddenly can add mining back onto its export list …
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| Poldice Mine, east of Redruth |
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| Crown Mines Botallack |
The Cornish landscape honeycombed with mine shafts is once again being opened up to exploration for essential minerals – copper, tungsten and importantly lithium …
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| Artisinal miners, Kalio, Republic of Congo |
Maybe we don't like mining our own lands – but surely we 'do it' more ethically, carefully and frugally as far as the environment is concerned – which has to be 'way better' than ripping the earth apart with little care in the world – as happens in for instance the Democratic Republic of Congo … or because of greed insist the populace work in inhuman conditions with little care for their health or lives.
As Ed Conway mentions in his book 'Material World: A Substantial Story of Our Past and Future' … dirty and grimy though mining may be – it is part of the human story.
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| Ed Conway's book - that inspired some of this post |
The blurb notes 'Sand, salt, iron, copper, oil and lithium. They built our world, and they will transform our future.'
I have to say I really want to read this book – but am immersed in rather a large number of others – so it'll have to wait – but I will get there … it sounds extremely informative.
Our ancestors were, really, quite wise - I hope we take more note of their ways and knowledge ...
Anglo-American -
Polyhalite and Potash - what's the difference?
The Woodsmith Project - about the new polyhalite fertiliser mine
Canterbury Cathedral Scaffolding tour in 2015 (my blog post)
Julia and Hans Rausing Trust - informative article on the Cathedral and their donation towards saving the window.
Tephra - more info c/o Wiki
Massachusetts Institute of Technology article on Why Roman Concrete was so durable ... 'Riddle Solved'
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
