At this town, and in the places close to it, are the greatest copper works in Hungary. These works are very large and important, and they employ many workers. The copper found here is not easily separated from the stone in which it lies. The metal is strongly joined to its rocky bed, so it requires much labour, time, and skill to extract and prepare it for use Structure of the Mine and Its Passages.
The copper ore is taken out of the mines in a rough and heavy state. It cannot be used at once. Instead, it must go through many long and difficult processes before it becomes pure and useful metal. The workers told me that the copper ore is burned and melted as many as fourteen times before it is finally ready for use. This shows how hard and careful their work must be.
The First Melting and Use of Minerals
The first step in preparing the copper is to melt the ore together with a special stone called “Pluss-stein,” along with its own dross and a mineral called Kis, which is a kind of pyrites. These materials help the ore to melt better and separate the metal from the waste matter.
After this first melting, the material is not yet pure. It is then carried to a place called the roast-hearth. Here the workers place it in large stacks or heaps made of billets of wood. Fires are set underneath these heaps so that the ore is slowly burned. This burning process changes the substance and makes it easier to work.
Repeated Burning and Roasting of the Ore
The burning at the roast-hearth turns the material into a substance called “rost.” This process is not done only once but is repeated many times, usually seven or eight times. Each burning removes more impurities and improves the quality of the metal Private Golfing Tour Turkey.
After these repeated burnings, the material is melted again in the main melting furnace. It is then sent to two more furnaces at a place called Mismills. After this, it is worked again at the hammer works, where heavy tools shape and refine the copper further. All these repeated steps show how much care and effort are needed to produce good copper.
Melting of Kis and Its Use in Silver Work
At these works, they also melt Kis, which is brought from a place called Jefim. When this substance is melted, it becomes very useful in the melting and refining of silver. This shows that the copper works are not only important for copper but also help in other metal processes.
How Silver is Separated from Copper
At Mismills, which is not far from the town, they also separate silver from copper. This is done in a careful and clever way. First, lead is added to the melted copper. The metals are then taken out together using iron spoons or dishes while they are still hot and melted.
When the mixture becomes cold, it is heated again strongly while it rests upon iron bars. Under this strong fire, the silver and lead melt and fall through the bars, leaving the copper behind. In this way, the valuable silver is separated from the copper with skill and experience.
Cutting and Shaping the Copper
When the copper has passed through its last melting and is finally fit for use, it is cut into pieces with very large and sharp hammers. Each of these heavy hammers is lifted by a special mill that gives great force to the blow. This allows the workers to break and shape the copper efficiently.
To make vessels, plates, or other useful objects, they use different kinds of hammers. Some are flat and others are round, depending on the shape they want to give to the copper. By this method, the metal can be formed into many different useful items.
The Kindness of the Governor of the Works
The governor of these copper works at Newsol was very kind and helpful. He allowed us to see everything that we wished to observe in the works. He explained many parts of the process and showed great courtesy.
Not only did he guide us through the works, but he also sent me a generous present of wine and fowls. In addition, he wrote a letter to the prefect of the copper mine at Herrn-grundt, asking him to show me all the curious and notable things in that mine. This kindness made my visit both pleasant and very instructive.
