Socia Media Quiz
Q: Who was the first person to design a watch that was both practical and accurate?
A: John Arnold
FACT: Born in Cornwall, John Arnold’s watch was used on ships from 1782. He introduced the term ‘chronometer’, meaning a precision time keeper.
FACTOID: Cornwall has its own language; Kernewek.
MORE: Check out our new speakers & sponsors from SLB, leaders in sustainable energy through geothermal consulting services.
Q: Amongst Scottish miners, what is a Snibble?
A: Wood or metal bar used as a brake.
FACTOID: A Snibble can also refer to a wooden knob, or pin, at one end of a rope which fits into a loop to make it fast.
FACT: Erik Vlot, Weir, has published 12 papers and articles since 2014 on pump technology and changing the market perception and acceptance on thickened and paste tailings disposal! Hear him speak at the Conference in June 2025.
Q: How far through the Earth’s crust (as a percentage) is the world’s deepest mine?
A: 11%
FACT: A carat stone (the name being derived from the carab seed in South Africa) weighs 0.2 gram.
FACTOID: Thanks to the innovations of Jonathan Jones at Tregothnan Estate, Cornwall is home to the first tea to be commercially grown in the UK.
MORE: All speaker slots taken at the UKMC 2025. A few places left at the Geothermal Forum. Apply to present.
QUESTION: What do the Cornish call tourists?
ANSWER: Emmets.
FACTOID: Tourists are called ‘Groccles’ in Devon. In Harry Potter, non-magicals are called ‘Muggles’.
Q: When did Great Britain first go a full day without using any coal to generate electricity?
A: 2017 (April)
FACT: The UK’s electricity supply mostly comes from renewable energy (43% in 2023), followed by gas (30%), nuclear power (13%) and coal (3%). The UK imports about 5% of its electricity.
FACTOID: Roger Taylor, legendry band Queen’s drummer was raised in Truro, & still has a house in Helston.
MORE: Pedal for progress, cycle ride from Scotland to Cornwall, highlighting career opportunities in the mining sector & to raise money for cancer research. Visit www.minecycle.co.uk to donate & learn more.
Q: The China Clay from Cornwall’s Bodelva Pit was discoloured. Who benefited from the unusual hue?
A: Financial Times Newspaper
FACT: The Financial Times originally used the Bodelva clay because it was cheaper, but the pink newsprint has become a valuable trademark. The Bodelva site is now home to the Eden project.
FACTOID: At one time Cornwall boasted 2,000 tin mines and it was a world leader in tin production.
MORE: New speaker for the UKMC – Don Turvey, new CEO of Cornish Metals: hear how the mining engineer from South Africa with over 20 years’ experience with BHP is going to take the South Crofty project forward.
Q: St Barbara is the Patron Saint of mining (and tunnelling), on what day is her annual feast day?
A: 4 December
FACT: Despite ancient legends, the known earliest reference to Barbara (who lived in the 3rd century) is in the 7th century. Doubts about her exploits meant Barbara was removed from the Roman Catholic calendar in 1969.
FACTOID: The most extreme West point of England is in Cornwall: Land’s End.
MORE: Attend the Geothermal Forum on Tuesday 10 June 2025, to hear Cornish Lithium, Eden Geothermal and Geothermal Energy speaking
Q: The geologist Herbert Hoover became the 31st US President in 1929. On which Australian gold mine was he the manager?
A: Sons of Gwalia
FACT: Herbert Hoover received his degree in 1895 from Stanford University. He was also involved in the launch of Mining Magazine in London.
FACTOID: One of the oldest maps still in existence depicting Cornwall is the 1290 Hereford Mappa Mundi.
MORE: Register to join the Geologists Breakout on Tuesday 10 June. Discussion chaired by Fraser Gardner of Aberdeen Minerals.
Q: How many ‘pleats’ does a true Cornish pasty have along the crust?
A: 20
FACT: The crusty rim of a pasty was originally intended so that it could be eaten cleanly by miners.
FACTOID: Pasties contribute £150 million a year to the Cornish economy.
MORE: Last few remaining places for exhibitor tables; all 3-minute speaker slots now sold out.
Q: The biggest loss of life in a UK mine explosion was at the Universal Pit in Senghenydd, when 439 died. When was this?
A: 1913
FACT: 81 miners were killed at the same mine just 12 years earlier.
FACTOID: The Camborne School of Mines was founded in 1888
MORE: We’re delighted that Professor Patrick Foster will be moderating a panel discussion on skills shortages & the future of mining education.
Q: Humphry Davy invented the safety lamp in 1815. Who claims to have invented a safety lamp four years earlier?
A: William Clanny
FACT: Mining engineer George Stephenson also invented a lamp at about the same time (both men discovered that explosions would not be initiated through narrow tubes). Stephenson went on to invent the first steam-powered locomotive.
MORE: With only 23 weeks to go to the UK Mining Conference in Cornwall, it’s time to register & book your accommodation. See growing line-up of quality speakers here.
Q: In Victorian coal mines, what was a ‘Schaffler’?
A: Small Austrian-made shot firer
FACT: In 1842, children under ten years were stopped from working underground in British mines. Before this legislation it was common for whole families to work together (most children started work underground when they were around eight years old, but some were as young as five).
FACTOID: Cornwall has only one city (Truro).
MORE: The UKMC Team wishes you all a very Merry Christmas & Healthy, Prosperous New Year.
Q: In which year did Humphry Davy invent his safety lamp?
A: 1815
FACT: Serious coal-mine explosions in the northeast led the Rector of Bishopwearmouth (near Newcastle) to ask Davy to find a means of lighting coal mines safely.
FACTOID: In the early 20th century, half of the world’s tin came from Cornwall. And we’re delighted to be welcoming CEO & Founder of Cornish Tin to our lineup of excellent speakers in June 2025. Registration open now
Q: Who discovered more elements on the periodic table than any other scientist?
A: Humphry Davy
FACT: Cornish-born chemist and inventor Davy (1778-1829) discovered five elements (Barium, Boron, Calcium, Magnesium and Strontium), for which he was knighted.
Learn which metals & minerals are being mined in Cornwall now, register here
FACTOID: Cornwall has neither a motorway nor a prison, but boasts almost 700km of coastline and 300 (listed) beaches.