UK Grid Reference: SO049062
Latitude: 51°44'45"N
Longitude: 3°22'39"W
The paraffin wax 'Hatchettine' (sic) was originally noticed by J. J. Conybeare lining cracks in the ironstones at Merthyr (Conybeare, 1821, 1823). It is unclear whether the ironstones were found near Merthyr itself, or were found at the ironworks, which would have been drawn its ore from a much wider area. The mineral itself is common across the coalfield, but rarely found in large ammounts. The town of Merthyr Tydfil now within the unitary authority (borough) of Merthyr Tydfil.
Given the number of early millerite specimens with Merthyr Tydfil as their locality, it is surprising there is little supportive evidence on the area's many coaltips. Although millerite undoubtedly occurred near Merthyr, the Spotted Vein at Dowlais being cited as a locality in 1861, it is more probable that as Wales' largest town in the early 19th century, Merthyr was the generic locality for many early millerite specimens found across the heads of the valleys from Merthyr Tydfil to Ebbw Vale.
Ref.:
- Wilson, M.J. (1978). "Occurrence of thaumasite in weathered furnace slag, Merthyr Tydfil." Mineralogical magazine, 42,pp:290-291.
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