Story 10. Allan Turnbull and Copper Rubberite.

Rubberite.

East 45, ore floor.
It was getting toward the end of the shift as I approached a large group of budding University Geologists all standing in a large circle facing inward.

At the head of the circle stood Alan Turnbull ex British Royal engineers, self taught geologist who knew more than any one alive about the ore formation and the reason the Mt Gunson ore deposit lay 140 feet below ground level beneath a 130 foot layer of Whyalla Sandstone.

Behind him standing in stark contrast and supporting a 130 foot high layer of a boring dark green coloured over-burden was a well washed section of the actual ore body, clearly displaying its folds and faults in fine detail.

I parked some distance away so as not to disturb Allan's lecture to the students on folds, formations and chalcocite.

I noticed a small lump of rubber cut from one of the truck tires laying on the ground, anything left on the floor of the pit for any length of time took on a dark green hugh from being in contact with the copper ore, I picked it up and played with it in my hand as I approached, waiting for Allan to finish off his story and notice me.

Ready for blasting? he asked as he finished talking and acknowledging my arrival.
I had come to remind Alan we were planning a blast, most of the heavy equipment was already in the process of clearing the pit and I needed his group of undergrad Geologyists to start making their way out as well.

Alan snatched the small lump of green rubber from my hand, turned to the circle of young Geologists and began explaining a unique ore found only in this particular mine, Copper Rubberite and with little further explanation handed the sample to the student immediately to his left who studied it for a few moments before handing it to the next student who after a similar inspection silently passed it on, this continued until after completing a full circle of the group the precious sample was returned to Allan.

Not one of you questioned the sample, not one of you even performed the most rudimentary inspection of this sample and not one of you have ever heard of Rubberite, Allan burst out, scolding the group for taking his word for something no one had never heard of.

Allen put the sample between his teeth and bent it back and forth then handed it to the student to his left, Now you test it, he demanded, and so each student in turn placed the sample between his teeth and demonstrated his ability to bend copper rubberite before it was eventually returned to Alan, who then handed it back to me with a broad knowing grin having caught out the entire group of semi educated smart arse's.