This book deals with the history of mining and smelting from the Renaissance to the present. Martin Lynch opens with the invention, sometime before 1453, of a revolutionary technique for separating silver from copper. It was this invention which brought back to life the rich copper-silver mines of central Europe, in the process making brass cannon and silver coin available to the ambitious Habsburg emperors, thereby underpinning their quest for European domination. Lynch also discusses the Industrial Revolution and the far-reaching changes to mining and smelting brought about by the steam engine; the era of the gold rushes; the massive mineral developments and technological leaps forward which took place in the USA and South Africa at the end of the 19th century; and, finally, the spread of mass metal-production techniques amid the violent struggles of the 20th century. In an engaging, concise and fast-paced text, he presents the interplay of personalities, politics and technology that have shaped the metallurgical industries over the last 500 years.

Lynch, Martin, 1962-

United Kingdom and Ireland, United Kingdom

Globalities, London, England, 2002

Globalities, London, England, 2003

Globalities, London, 2009, ©2002

First Edition, 2004

August 2, 2004

PS, 2004

Includes bibliographical references (p. 325-341) and index.
Originally published: 2002.

"Ranging from California to Kimberley, from Chile to China, this fascinating book is the first ever global history of mining and smelting, industries that have been fundamental to the construction of industrial civilization. It is a story of driven men and brutal conditions, fabled mountains and technological breakthroughs, colonial greed and military conflicts. Martin Lynch begins with the invention, sometime before 1453, of a revolutionary technique for separating silver from copper, which revived both the rich copper-silver mines of Central Europe and the imperialist ambitions of the Habsburg emperors. The great era of Central European mining that followed lasted for more than 100 years before it was drowned by the flood of American silver unleashed by the conquistadores. But in addition to this and other tales of boom and bust, the author also looks behind the dramas. He explores and explains the Industrial Revolution, when Britain's steam-engines and ironmasters led the world; the era of the gold rushes; the massive mineral developments and technological leaps forward that took place in the USA and southern Africa in the late 19th century; and the spread of mass metal-production techniques amid the world wars and independence movements of the 20th century. In this superbly written account of mining in world history, readers will discover the startling interplay of personalities, politics and technologies that have shaped the metallurgical industries down to the present time. Book jacket."--BOOK JACKET

350 pages : 24 cm
This is the first book to offer a sweeping history of mining from the Renaissance to the present. Martin Lynch discusses the invention of techniques for separating silver from copper in the 15th century, the Industrial Revolution, the era of the gold rushes, the technological leaps forward in the U.S. and South Africa at the end of the 19th century, and the spread of mass metal-production techniques amid the violent struggles of the 20th century. In an engaging and fast-paced text, he presents the personalities, politics, and technology that have shaped the metallurgical industries over the last 500 years. Martin Lynch has been employed in the mining industry for more than 10 years, and is currently working for the Iron Ore Company in Labrador, Canada
The metallurgical renaissance -- The Watt engine -- New frontiers -- The copper barons -- The gold factories -- Mass Production
Includes bibliographical references and index

This text deals with the history of mining and smelting from the Renaissance to the oil crises of the 1970s, drawing out the interplay of personalities, politics and technology which have together shaped the metallurgical industries since the 1500s.

2023-06-28