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What were the working conditions like for British mine employees from the Dolcoath Copper mine during the 19th century?

In the early 1770s, Dolcoath Mine employed around 220 bal maidens, who worked on the copper dressing floors, making it one of the earliest instances of women working in the mining industry.

The mine was nicknamed "The Queen of Cornish Mines" due to its significant production of copper and tin, with an output of over 350,000 tons of copper and 100,000 tons of black tin between 1853 and 1920.

Charles Thomas, a mining agent and share dealer, started working at Dolcoath Mine at the age of 12 and later became an underground agent, showcasing the early start and rapid career progression of mine employees.

The mine's history and legacy are still celebrated today, with expressions like "Deep as Dolcoath" being used to describe someone who is secretive or profound, highlighting the mine's impact on local culture.

Dolcoath Mine was originally a copper mine, but as the copper deposits diminished, tin ore was discovered deeper down, at 1250 feet, and the mine became the largest producer of tin in the region.

The mine's site, northwest of Carn Brea, is situated near Dolcoath Road, which runs between the A3047 road and Chapel, making it a central location in Camborne, Cornwall.

By the mid-19th century, the mine was in danger of closing due to depleting copper reserves, but the discovery of tin ore saved the mine and ensured its continued operation.

Dolcoath Mine started copper production in the 1720s and became the fifth-largest copper-producing mine in Cornwall and Devon, solidifying its position as a significant contributor to the region's mining industry.

The mine's workers, including miners from Dolcoath and other Cornish mines, introduced rugby to Canada and a dozen other countries, demonstrating the mine's global impact on sports and culture.

The area known as Dolcoath is an ancient tenement at the foot of Carn Entral, with the mine sited there being Bullen Garden, which became the principal part of Dolcoath Mine in its history.

Charles Thomas, the mining agent, was an advocate of deep mining, which revolutionized the mining industry and allowed for the extraction of deeper, richer ore deposits.

Dolcoath Mine's output was not limited to copper and tin; it also produced other minerals, including arsenic, which was used in various industries, highlighting the mine's diverse contribution to the regional economy.

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