LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Parys illustrates juniors’ role

We must thank Stanley Holmes for sharing his knowledge of the history of the Parys Mountain deposit (“Parys Mountain project revisited,” (T.N.M., Mar. 4/91). The history of Parys Mountain has a broad appeal. It has been featured in several books and has been captured on the canvasses of numerous artists, the earliest known rendering dating back to the 18th century. It was recently the subject of a comprehensive profile produced by the BBC. Also, copper coinage minted at the Parys Mountain mine in the late 1700s, legal tender in Wales, London and Liverpool in its day, can still be found in several numismatic shops in the United Kingdom.

Parys Mountain holds special interest for the mining community because it is exemplary of several “jewels” of mining wisdom. Some of these were hinted at by Holmes. Parys Mountain supports the case that the best place to look for a new mine is close to an old one. Parys Mountain also confirms the role of the junior company in the discovery and development of new mines.

The most important lesson of Parys Mountain, however, is that mines are not found, they are made. And although several persons may have a hand in making a mine, it is sometimes appropriate to mark the special contribution of a single individual, as was recently done with the naming of the Morris shaft.

On this point, your readers should be aware that the statement in the last paragraph of Holmes’ letter, to the effect that Hugh Morris named the mine shaft after himself, is inaccurate. This recognition was conferred upon Morris by the directors and staff of both Anglesey Mining and Imperial Metals in acknowledgement that this most recent phase of development at Parys Mountain is largely owed to his vision and determination. Lord Crickhowell, Vice-chairman, Anglesey Mining PLC, and K. Peter Geib, Co-chairman, Imperial Metals Corp., Vancouver