DHUNPORE COPPER MINES

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

The the most valuable and productive copper mines in the mountains (HERBERT 1842: xcvi) that were noticed in the course of the Kumaon survey (1815-1821). SITUATION 1843: Not seen: LUSHINGTON (1843) in: Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, vol. 12 (RECKENDORF, S 1845: 471). SITUATION 1845: After the commissioner, Mr. Lushington's report, Vol. XII. Journ. As. Soc. 1843, little remains to be said about the situation of these mines. Pokree is on the right, Dhanpoor on the left side of the Douliganga, both about six miles [10 km] horizontal distance from the river, and twelve miles between themselves. From Pokree I saw Dhanpoor distinctly, and it appeared about 1,000 to 1,500 feet [an estimated 300 to 450 m] higher situated. … The distance from Pokree to Almorah is perhaps one day's march farther than Almorah from the plains, to a point where several days' land-carriage for the metal from the river is required. Sreenugur is yet nearer than Almorah, and even Hurdwar can easily bereached from Sreenugur, by little flat boats steered by one man … (RECKENDORF, S 1845: 471, 474). SITUATION 1842: At Dhunpore (HERBERT 1842: xcvi) that had been reached by following the route (note 1) ascending from Boomot, which is situated on an extensive flat (HERBERT, J D 1842: xcviii) located in an unspecified the bed of the Nullah (HERBERT 1842: xcvi). APPROACH: From the bed of the Nullah, the route ascends to Dhunpore, where are worked the most valuable and productive copper mines in the mountains (HERBERT 1842: xcvi). GEOLOGY 1842: The rock in the neighbourhood of Dhunpore is a quartz rock, it is distinguished for its peculiar shattered and fissured aspect, no trace of stratification being observable except on the great scale. The irregularity of the strata is great, and the change of dip frequent. A mass of red dolomite [note 2] appears in the middle of it east of the village, and it is in this latter rock that the copper mines are situated (HERBERT 1842: c). MINE DESCRIPTION1845: The Dhanpoor mines, or holes, are worked to advantage, and no doubt could be made more so ; but perhaps it would take more trouble to find the layer of copper than in Pokree. What till now is opened would under European superintendence be entirely exhausted in the course of one year or two. It is possible the layer may turn out to be a regular dyke, but I suppose it will not be so, but might be cut off by slate at no very great depth. The working on a large scale would be also more expensive in Dhanpoor than in Pokree, for the ore must be stamped, and washed on moving hearths. However, the steepness of Dhanpoor hill admits shorter galleries and to greater depth. The present mine could not of course be of any use. There are galleries of several fathoms in height and breadth, following upon and preceded by others, which are so low and narrow, as to admit only children; and the slope goes downwards, then up again for a few yards, now to the right, then to the left, &c. A shaft in te mine is only passable for those who do not mind going about in the dress of Adam on the first day of creation, for only the adhesion of the skin to the nearly polished rock, keeps the passenger in many places from falling down. The tools are only a chisel and a hammer; blasting of course ought to be introduced (RECKENDORF, S 1845: 475-476).e mine is only passable for those who do not mind going about in the dress of Adam on the first day of creation, for only the adhesion of the skin to the nearly polished rock, keeps the passenger in many places from falling down. The tools are only a chisel and a hammer; blasting of course ought to be introduced (RECKENDORF, S 1845: 475-476).