More Rocks In Our Heads by Andrew Drummond
Connor Court Publishing Pty Ltd, 2022, 430pp, ISBN 9281922449
I was a contributor to the first volume compiled by Andrew Drummond: ‘Rocks In Our Heads’ (Connor Court Publishing, 2020), so feel I have some qualification to comment on the second one. The books tell the experiences (often hardly believable but all true!) of the many geologists who have worked in exotic and often dangerous places.
More Rocks In Our Heads by Andrew Drummond
Connor Court Publishing Pty Ltd, 2022, 430pp, ISBN 9281922449
I was a contributor to the first volume compiled by Andrew Drummond: ‘Rocks In Our Heads’ (Connor Court Publishing, 2020), so feel I have some qualification to comment on the second one. The books tell the experiences (often hardly believable but all true!) of the many geologists who have worked in exotic and often dangerous places. They certainly needed to be hard headed.
The new volume ‘More Rocks In Our Heads’ comes after the popularity of the first, (only a few copies still available from the publisher); it has 35 stories from 32 experienced contributors. It is a very worthwhile sequel.
Again Andrew has collected and edited the contributions from the authors, all of whom were Western trained and experienced, before they applied their skills in Third World and lesser developed nations, to try to meet the challenges of finding, securing and bringing to production metal and energy deposits. Sometimes they met the challenges; more often, they were defeated.
Nowadays, in a decarbonising world we will need to develop many large new deposits, so the general reader may gain insights into how difficult this process can be.
The contributions exhibit a range of personal and corporate attitudes and aptitudes, required in the mineral exploration business, if there is to be a realistic chance of success. As previously, the stories are deliberately non-technical so as to appeal to a wider range of readership beyond those in the minerals and energy industries.
There are a range of emotions: elation and despondency, humour, doggedness, bravery and foolhardiness. The need to find and develop orebodies demands risk on many levels, and geologists die in about a dozen different ways throughout the stories. But the rewards included in the book include the discoveries of Lihir, Sierra Madre and Bougainville.
Those who have worked in exotic locations will appreciate the stories. Those contemplating doing so will get an education.
You might recognise many of the contributors, who are, in order of appearance: Andrew Drummond, Sandy Moyle, Roger Langmead, Ian Plimer, Stephen Turner, Roger Marjoribanks, Anthony Williamson, Ian Mulholland, Jeff Rayner, Bob Besley, John Garlick, Michael Fellows, Martin Spence, Ian Tedder,Wilson Forte, John Nethery, Greg Ambrose, John Hammond, Mike Kitney, Ralph Stagg, Max de Vietri, Roger Thomson, Dan Greig, Mort Cowan, Cyril Geach, Brian Levet, Neil Stuart, Lynda Frewer, Jason Beckton, Ken Russell and Phil Fillis.
There is a Foreword by Pierpont (Trevor Sykes), who says “Field geologists provide the best reading of any scientists I know”. On reading this book, I happily agree.
Further information on the book and how to acquire a copy can be found on the website
www.morerocksinourheads.com.au.
Paul Askins
