History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c12.s1.t10: North Lode
History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c12.s1.t10
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North Lode
v1.c12.s1.t10.1
Both opencast and underground methods are apparent. The earliest workings appear to have been by narrow shafts sunk in ore-bearing beds following apparently irregular deposits. Shafts are common in pairs, often at intervals of only a few metres, and have climbing footholds (Fig.9). Some shafts have been sunk in the softer graphite schist to meet the hangingwall of the calc- silicate at a depth of 8-10 m.
v1.c12.s1.t10.2
On the hanging wall side of lode particularly some of the pairs of shafts have been joined and enlarged and fitted with large beam slots to form working and hauling platforms. These open out below into large stoped areas 10-12 m high and as wide. There is an example of a cross-cut driven probably to locate another ore-bearing bed a few metres away.
v1.c12.s1.t10.3
Evidence of beneficiation methods is found in quartzite river pebbles. Deep mortars were found in the rock in one of the mine openings. Iron pestles might have been used, but stone hammers found would have sufficed.