Dive into the ins and outs of mines
OGDENSBURG — Former miner and retired Geologist Ron Mishkin of Lake Hopatcong will give three presentations this summer on the 300-year history of mining in New Jersey.
He will explain how ore bodies were discovered and developed, mining towns grew, discuss key inventions, evolution of mining methods and technology, differences between coal and metal mines, environmental hazards, silicosis and black lung disease, accident statistics and more. He will also talk about the innovative Thomas Edison iron mine in Sussex County and Edison’s important mining inventions.
Mishkin will relate some of his own experiences as a miner and geologist in four mines. He will describe descending 1,000 feet per minute into the blackness for an 8-hour workday with the only light provided by a lamp attached to his helmet. Learn about the dangers as well as secrets of survival when drilling into ore, blasting with high explosives, transporting ore chunks to deafening crushers and then raising crushed ore to the surface for smelting. You will also get to examine ore specimens from New Jersey and other mines.
These classes will be held at the Sterling Hill Mining Museum at 30 Plant Street in Ogdensburg from 9 a.m. to noon on June 22, and again on July 20 and Aug. 17. Fees are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors age 60 and up, $7 for children under 12, and age 5 and under are admitted free.
Plan to arrive at the Museum Gift Shop by 8:45 a.m. A minimum of 10 attendees is required to hold a class. Complimentary light refreshments will be available. Registration is required by contacting Mishkin by email at utep@optonline.net or call 973-663-1296.
Mishkin is a graduate geologist from the University of Texas at El Paso with extensive experience in underground zinc, iron, and copper mines. He worked as a miner in the famous zinc mine at Franklin, N.J., in the notorious Magma Copper Mine at Superior, Arizona, and as an Exploration Geologist in Arizona and New Mexico.
He explored for uranium, copper, gold, silver, and recorded mining claims, leasing properties, diamond drilling, mapping, drilling and blasting, and mineral analysis. His mining odyssey continued at the Richard Ore Mine and the Scrub Oaks Mine, both major iron mines in Morris County, where he was employed as geologist-mining engineer and also as a consultant involving uranium, rare earths, ball clay, and especially with the development of a major feldspar deposit.
Currently, he is a tour guide and speaker at Sterling Hill and also lectures at area historical societies, mineralogical societies, and museums. You can also inquire about his availability for a presentation to your group or organization.