Wow, what a site!!! Thanks for passing it on. I was born and grew up on a farm just north of Joplin but left the area after high school. My dad and several neighbors worked in the mines. I could kick myself for not asking more questions about mining - such as the actual process of producing those horrendous chat piles (but gee, they were great to slide down on!!). I still have great specimens of lead and zinc ore, beautiful pieces of quartz, and "tiff" that he would bring home in his lunch bucket. (Who knows, there might be some Uranium too!!) Thanks again. John