Tharsis Sulphur & Copper Co Ltd
Other Business Names:
- Tennant, Charles
- Tennant, Charles, & Co
- Rio Tinto Co
- Tharsis Plc
Locations city-town / local authority / county1974 / region-state / country:
- Glasgow, City of Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland, Scotland
- Tharsis, Spain
Sectors:
-
Basic metals production
Copper & brass smelting
-
Extraction
Copper extraction
-
Extraction
Sulphur extraction
Notes:
Established at Glasgow in 1866 by a consortium of British chemical manufacturers, led by Charles Tennant of Charles Tennant & Co, to mine pyrites for copper and sulphur at Tharsis, Spain, the latter for use in chemical works in Britain. As such acquired the interests of the Compagnie des Mines de Cuivre d'Huela, estblished in 1850s by French interests. As sulphur was obtained as a by product from copper extraction, in 1868-72 the business acquired or built seven major metal processing works around Britain. Floated 1868. Mines developed as a major international source of sulphur and in due course worked in competition with nearby mines of Rio Tinto Co. In decline from early 20th century but company continues in 1990s as Tharsis Plc, a property developer and hydroelectric power generator
Publications:
- Mines of Tharsis. Roman, French and British enterprise in Spain by Checkland, S G
- Rio Tinto Company, 1873-1954. An economic history of a leading international mining concern by Harvey, Charles
- Rio Tinto Company. An economic history of a leading international mining concern, 1873-1954 by Harvey, Charles
Groups:
Other Business Names:
- Tennant, Charles
- Tennant, Charles, & Co
- Rio Tinto Co
- Tharsis Plc
Locations city-town / local authority / county1974 / region-state / country:
- Glasgow, City of Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland, Scotland
- Tharsis, Spain
Sectors:
- Basic metals production Copper & brass smelting
- Extraction Copper extraction
- Extraction Sulphur extraction
Notes:
Established at Glasgow in 1866 by a consortium of British chemical manufacturers, led by Charles Tennant of Charles Tennant & Co, to mine pyrites for copper and sulphur at Tharsis, Spain, the latter for use in chemical works in Britain. As such acquired the interests of the Compagnie des Mines de Cuivre d'Huela, estblished in 1850s by French interests. As sulphur was obtained as a by product from copper extraction, in 1868-72 the business acquired or built seven major metal processing works around Britain. Floated 1868. Mines developed as a major international source of sulphur and in due course worked in competition with nearby mines of Rio Tinto Co. In decline from early 20th century but company continues in 1990s as Tharsis Plc, a property developer and hydroelectric power generatorPublications:
- Mines of Tharsis. Roman, French and British enterprise in Spain by Checkland, S G
- Rio Tinto Company, 1873-1954. An economic history of a leading international mining concern by Harvey, Charles
- Rio Tinto Company. An economic history of a leading international mining concern, 1873-1954 by Harvey, Charles