Mining in England and in Europe has a long history. There was mining being done in Britannia by the Ancient Romans, but the Ancient natives had began mining there even before the Romans came.
During this era, gold, tin, lead and silver were mined in the area that is now Great Britain. The methods that were used included open pit mines, and using water power to force open areas too expose the rock deposits laying underneath.
The use of Reverse overshot water wheels was a technologically advanced mine technique used by the ancient Britons, and they would use this process with miners standing in the top slats of the water wheels. Such early mining devices are found in museums in the National Museum of Wales and the British Museum.
Mining history of Britain continued, in the form of machines that would assist in mining, such as water mills, and giant bellows. In limited conditions black power was used to blast rock and stone apart, to loosen the ore and minerals to be mined. It would also bust apart rock to expose rock and ore veins rich in materials such as gold and silver.
In 1762 the worlds first mining academy was established in Europe, and different mining techniques began to be developed for use. Open pits were used from the earliest days, and the use of deep sub surface mines began to be used, and as time would pass the ability of mines and miners that worked them would improve.
Deep Mines that would yield materials in amounts to meet the demand, which exploded during the industrial revolution. Also different materials that were able to be dissolved in water were being investigated.
Mines that dealt with potash, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and sodium nitrate which are all able to be dissolved in water began to make their appearance.