Mineral Mining

Most of Bolton’s mineral collections come from mine-workings in the north of England.

Three minerals can be identified in this Cumbrian specimen.
The white mineral is calcite. The metallic-grey one is galena. A light purple mineral with cubic crystals, fluorite, is also present.

Today, minerals may be mined purely for their aesthetic value. But originally, most minerals were mined for the resources they could provide.
Native metals and ores were primary targets of this mining, but other minerals would be found and uses sought for them.

For example, when mining for galena (for lead), the minerals witherite and baryte are often found too.
Both are a source of barium. As uses were found for barium (for instance in the medical industry) the lead mines were re-worked for the previously discarded minerals.