London Lead Co.

Remarks as to Employment.

There has been a decrease both in the persons employed and the mineral raised, although the number of mines at work exceeds by one that in 1901.

The men have, I believe, been fairly regularly employed during the past year, but the outlook in the future is not promising. One of the oldest firms, the London Lead Company, who have given employment to a large number of men, is giving up the working of the lead mines in Teesdale and Weardale, and this means a great loss to the districts named. One of the mines has already been taken over by another firm, and I hope, for the sake of the workmen and their families, the others may be re-started, but I fear the prospects are not promising.

Lead mining in this district has for many years been gradually diminishing, and is now at a low ebb. Poor mines and low prices are the cause of this, and there appears to be little hope of any improvement in the immediate future.

Source: 1902 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 1590), Durham District (No. 4) by R. D. Bain, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report

Remarks as to Employment.

I much regret to have again to report both a decrease in the number of men employed and the quantity of mineral raised at the mines under these Acts, and more so, because I fear the prospect for the future is not a very bright one.

Last year I mentioned in my report that one of the oldest firms, the London Lead Company, was giving up the working of the mines in Teesdale and Weardale, and I am sorry to say that the mines worked by the Green Hurth Mining Company, and Messrs. J. Cameron Swan & Co., have also been abandoned and dismantled, and as they were in the same district as those abandoned dismantled by the London Lead Company, it means a great loss to the workmen and their families. I hope, for their sakes, the mines or some of them may soon be restarted by other firms, but the prospect of this happening, at the present time, is a remote one.

Metalliferous mining, as I have said before, is diminishing year by year in this district, and I am afraid it has not yet reached its lowest ebb. Poor mines and low prices are the cause of this.

Source: 1903 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 2119), Durham District (No. 4) by R. D. Bain, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report

• 1875 Mines Inspectors Report (C. 1499), Durham by Thomas Bell, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
• 1875 Mines Inspectors Report (C. 1499), Newcastle-on-Tyne District by James Willis, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
• 1902 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 1590), Durham District (No. 4) by R. D. Bain, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
• 1903 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 2119), Durham District (No. 4) by R. D. Bain, H.M. Inspector of Mines Where to find this report
• 1881 Mines Inspectors Report (C 3241) Where to find this report
• Mineral Statistics for 1883 - Government report from the Mines Department (C 4058), published in 1884 — includes List of Mines and Mineral Works
• Mineral Statistics for 1885 - Government report from the Mines Department (C 4771), published in 1886 — includes List of Mines and Mineral Works
• Mineral Statistics for 1887 - Government report from the Mines Department (C 5464), published in 1888 — includes List of Mines and Mineral Works
• 1888 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department Where to find this report
• 1894 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department Where to find this report
• 1896 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department, also available online at Peak District Mines Historical Society Ltd Where to find this report
• 1899 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department Where to find this report
• 1900 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department Where to find this report
• 1902 List of Mines - Government report from the Mines Department Where to find this report