Ever wonder about the worlds mysteries of the amazing rock's and stones ? How has rock's or stones made an an impact on your life ? Did you ever skim a rock across a lake or the ocean tide ? Ever collect rock's during a hike ? Did you ever find one in the shape of a heart ? There are so many thing's that come to my mind like marbles and in some countries they even make games out of rock's like jack's with no ball just rock's . Rock's are raw and come from nature and continue to inspire me and fascinate me every time . I collect all types from the ones I create with to the ones I find in nature . Rock's are natures gift and give great energy . A rock is not just a rock .
The amazing rock has been around for over two million year's and will be around until the end of time . I find that amazing . Rock's have influenced ours and other cultures around the world and has impacted the technological development of the human race . Starting with the invention of lithic technology ( stone tools ) the oldest continuously used technology used for mining . The mining of rock's is one of the most important human advancement . Think of diamond's , crystal's , granite , marble , copper , metal , even silver and gold ....and the list goes on and on but you get the point . Not all cultures around the world use lithic technology how ever lithic technology is still being used today . The earliest stone tool's were recovered from Ethiopia and dated two million and three million year's old .
Underground hard rock mining refers to the underground mining of hard metals such as ore containing gold , silver , iron , copper , zinc , nickel , and lead , The same techniques are used to excavate ores of gems such as diamonds . Soft rock mining is the excavation of softer minerals such as salt , coal , or tar sands .
The fact that miners have to dig deep to get the precious stones and metals is amazing but even more amazing is how deep they have to go to recover them . From the mines to the hands of the people who use them to trade , to build , engineering , tool making , silver wear , pot's and pan's , china and last but not least jewelry and I am sure I have even missed a few . If you take apart this computer you will find copper and other metal and now you know it came from a mine .
I want you to think about how the rock has made an impact on your life and I am not talking about rock and roll . I thought I would add some fact's about just how deep some of the great mines are .
- The deepest hard rock mine is in North America the Agnio-Eagles LaRonde mine . Which mines gold zinc , copper , and silver ores , 28 miles east of Royn and Noranda , in Cadillac Quebec La Rondes Penna shaft # 3 shaft is believed to be the deepest single shaft in the western Hemisphere . The new #4 shaft bottom's out at over 9, 800 feet and is the deepest long hole open stopes in the world .
- The deepest hard rock mine in Australia are copper and zinc lead mines found in Mount Ilsa Queensland 51,900 feet .
- The deepest platinum palladium mines in the world are on the Merensky Reef in South Africa with a resource of 203 million Troy ounces currently worked on at approximately 7,200 feet .
The impact and influence mining has had in our technology and our lives is remarkable and incredible . Think about the impact it has had on the jewelry and jewelry making industry .Next time you purchase a piece whether machine or hand made or wear a piece anywhere on your body you now know more about the history of where it came from . From the mines and miners that dug deep to mine them and then to the hands and machines that made them . I hope this can add value to your jewelery box and the rock's you keep inside them .
Gonna go find me a rock to sit on
and as always I'll take mine on the rock's
Cheers Tilly
