Rough work that. Mining is one of the three or four most hazardous lines of work. As shown, access is possible only by pumping down the water table continuously. Mines not in service are basically full of water above a certain level, as I learned touring an inactive iron mine in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I was surprised at the geology, the Meerschaum formed in clumps in other soil and rock. I always pictured it in solid layers. As with briar harvesting, it is impressive what heavy work this takes. When that miner took that sack of meer on his back, given that this is his daily work, that sack could be 200 pounds. Don't mess with that wiry little guy. This and the briar harvesting videos make it surprising pipes cost as little as they do. Thank you for posting this; it is quite a tribute to the sourcing of our pipes.
