The Mines of Tharsis

Roman, French and British Enterprise in Spain

S. G. Checkland

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English

Routledge
01 June 2025

International economics; Mining industry

Series: Routledge Revivals

Originally published in 1967, this book discusses the attempt in ancient and modern times to exploit one of the great mineral areas of Europe. The extraordinary Roman workings at Tharsis in south-west Spain were reopened in Queen Victoria’s reign, with the copper and sulphur they contained being much sought after. The mines at Tharsis played an important part in the formation of the United Alkali Company and in the discovery of the revolutionary MacArthur-Forrest gold extraction process, so critical for South Africa. At the time of its publication, no comparable study of a major mining enterprise existed. The author successfully synthesised the scientific and technical factors with the economic, social and political ones. The continuous struggle for both mining efficiency and markets is discussed, as are the difficulties caused by the Great Depression and the Spanish Civil War. The book will appeal to historians, students of business history and marketing, applied science and technology as well as those interested in the problems of foreign enterprise in what was (at the time) a relatively undeveloped country.

By: S. G. Checkland
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 216mm, Width: 138mm,
ISBN: 9781041064107
ISBN 10: 1041064101
Series: Routledge Revivals
Pages: 296
Publication Date: 01 June 2025
Audience: College/higher education , College/higher education , Further / Higher Education , Primary
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Reviews for The Mines of Tharsis: Roman, French and British Enterprise in Spain

Original Review of The Mines of Tharsis: ‘Professor Checkland has presented a well-documented history of a great mining company.’ Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, November 1967.