Barytes Mine Muirshiel

Barytes was mined in the Muirshiel Estate from 1833 (136 years), initially in open cast mines. It was subsequently mined via shafts. In 1916 the Muirshiel mine was the only one in Scotland still producing ore, however production stopped around 1920. The mine was reopened in 1941 but closed permanently in 1969. The shafts extended up to 200m deep. From 1859-1920 17,678 tons were excavated. From 1943-1969 274,024 tons were mined. The main element in barytes is barium in the form barium sulphate (BaSO4). It comes in a variety of colours and a pink sample typical of Muirshiel barytes is shown below. The name derives from the Greek word for "heavy" as it is a very dense material. It has a variety of uses. About 85% of current world production is used as a lubricant for oil well drill bits. It is also used as a pigment in cosmetics, paint and paper. (Lithopone is a white pigment powder made up of barium sulphate (barytes) and zinc sulphate). Barium’s ability to block x-ray and gamma-ray emissions means it is used to make high-density concrete to block x-ray emissions in hospitals, power plants, and laboratories. Its medical use is in a "Barium Meal" which enhances the X-ray image of parts of the body.

In 1833 the Muirshiel Estate was owned by John Miller. He entered into a Copartnery with John and James White who were manufacturing chemists in Shawfield, Glasgow to mine a seam of barytes discovered in Queenside Moor. Trading as Miller and White it was a 50:50 arrangement with a seven-year term and the respective obligations were:-

a) Miller would build a processing mill equipped with all necessary machinery at the nearest convenient location on the Calder.

b) Provide accommodation for the workmen and stabling for horses.

c) Make a good and sufficient road from the Berry Glen (mine location) to the processing plant.

d) All at his own expense.

In return he would be paid 5s per ton of processed barytes when the processed material could be sold at or above £5/ton, however he would only get 2s 6d if the sale price was below £5/ton. In addition he would receive an interest rate of 10% per annum based on the sums expended for points a to c above. John and James were given the responsibility of mining, processing and selling the barytes. By 1918 the mine had changed hands and was trading under the name Muirshiel Minerals Co. of Lochwinnoch. The mine closed in 1920.

The photograph below shows the location of the processing plant and the mine.

The following photograph is of the processing plant.

Keir and Cawder Ltd. and James Millar, Son and Co. Ltd. reopened the mine in 1942. Keir & Cawder Estates Ltd based at Cawder estate Bishopbriggs was established to carry out the business of mining and quarrying minerals for commercial gain. James Miller, Son & Co was a Land & Estate Agent, Auctioneers and Valuers based in Pall Mall, London. They formed the Muirshiel Barytes Co. in 1946, and constructed new shafts to depths between 64 and 200 metres. This gave access to veins of barytes of a finer quality, which was taken directly to a dressing plant in Glasgow. Production was 1,610 tons in 1944, rising to 17,260 tons in 1949. A new dressing plant was constructed in 1960 just downhill from the mine, to process output from a lower quality vein. At this time up to 48 people from Lochwinnoch and Kilbirnie worked at the mine, comprising 11 skilled miners, each with an assistant, as well as maintenance and surface workers. Production ended on 5 September 1969.

In the montage below the photograph on the left is a cross section through the mine showing the depth of various workings. Each section of workings is dated, the higher workings are from the late 1940’s and the deeper workings are early 1950. The image on the right is a helicopter view of the mine workings.

In 1946 the Imperial Smelting Corporation (ISM) took a 50% stake in Murshiel Barytes Co. In 1960 the mine was taken over by Anglo Austral Mines Ltd., and electrical power was installed to drive winding gear for the wagons and lift. In 1962 Rio Tinto Zinc became the operator. Although it looks like the mine has changed hands several times that is not the case. ISM acquired Anglo Austral Mines Ltd in 1949. In the same year ISM merged with Zinc Corporation to become Consolidated Zinc.  In 1962 Consolidated Zinc merged with Rio Tinto to form Rio Tinto Zinc.

Today all the buildings associated with the mine are gone. The shafts have been sealed however it remains a dangerous place and sections are fenced of for safety. The initial open cast workings have left a steep gorge in the moor which is shown below.

In fact in 1962 Colin Sinclair of Boghead farm while working at the mine reversed his tractor over the edge and plummeted eighty feet. He claimed £10000 in compensation but was awarded £6000 which was later overturned on appeal. Colin sustained serious injuries, others were not so lucky. In 1952 Robert Haveron (38) from Braehead was crushed to death while working 200 ft below ground. Above ground was equally dangerous, two men were killed and four injured on the 11th December 1957 when their lorry carrying four tons of barytes came of the mine road in snowy conditions and dropped 18ft. An inexplicable tragedy was the miner who threw a detonator into a fire and shrapnel from the explosion pierced his heart killing him. The photograph below shows some former buildings at the mine (now gone).

In 1999 Pat interviewed Tom Sprought who was assistant manager at the mine. An extract from that interview is attached below.