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Bigrigg, West Cumberland Iron Field, North and Western Region (Cumberland), Cumbria, England, UK

On the road between Whitehaven to Egremont. Deep hollows in the area attest to iron ore mining as far back as medieval times.

By 1829, three companies were mining eight pits in the area. Further encouragement for mining resulted when the railway was constructed from Whitehaven to Cleator Moor in the late 1850s.

Pits often flooded due to the proximity of the River Eden, so the mining companies diverted the river. By the late 1800's some mines were closing in the area, but others continued to open. In 1924 a mine disaster at the Croft Pit in Bigrigg trapped ten men for 28 hours before they were rescued. By 1932
the mines were closed.




Mineral list contains entries from the region specified including sub-localities


Mineral List:
Aragonite
Baryte
Braunite
Calcite
Dolomite
Epidote
Fluorite
Galena
'Garnet Group'
Hausmannite
Hematite
Limonite
Magnetite
Manganite
Millerite
Muscovite
'Psilomelane'
Pyrite
Pyrolusite
Quartz
Rhodochrosite
Rutile
Siderite
Siegenite
Sphalerite
'Tourmaline'
Zircon


44 entries listed. 23 valid minerals.

Localities in this Region:
UK
 
  • England
    • Cumbria
      • North and Western Region (Cumberland)
        • West Cumberland Iron Field
          • Bigrigg

The above list contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database!
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Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them.Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 23rd Nov 2009 19:21:32