At the end of the Third International Mining History Conference, Denver, 1994 an informal meeting of delegates was held to make arrangements for the organisation of the next conference. The minutes of that meeting are attached.

It was decided, as an interim measure, to use the facilities of the Internet to establish a full list of mining historians and potential delegates to the next conference and improve opportunities for continuing communication between researchers. The task was taken-up by Dr Roger Burt of the Department of Economic & Social History, University of Exeter. The mining historian's list appears as People in the MHN homepage.

Roger Burt, the keeper of the MHN Web pages, would be pleased to receive further names and addresses to add to this list - particularly email addresses and WWW sites - and will continue to edit and enlarge it. Please email any additions or extra information to R.Burt@ex.ac.uk (see homepage for further contact details).

There was no formal agenda but the purpose of the meeting was to make provision for the organisation of the next International Conference.

The meeting opened at 11.40.

1. Prof. Ray Dummett (Purdue University) was elected as chairman of the meeting and John Kerr (Australia) as secretary.

2. Dr. Ruth Kerr (Australia) moved that the 4th International Mining History Conference be held in South Africa and that Townsville, Australia provide an alternative venue in the event that the South Africa delegation were unable to provide the necessary resources and facilities. (seconded by Dr. Roger Burt, University of Exeter).

3. In subsequent discussion, it became clear that, given the uncertain future stability of South Africa, no firm commitment to a venue could be given at this stage. However, Prof. Phimister (University of Cape Town) thought that a firm decision could be made by December 1997, giving time and opportunity for the switch to Australia to be organised.

4. A desire for a clearer agenda led to a discussion of the possibility of the Conference being held in Chile. Dr. Adolf Ibanez (Chile) and his colleagues expressed their interest in this proposal but required some months for consultations at home of the viability of staging the conference.

5. Dr. Robert Spude (National Parks) proposed that Chile be the venue for the Fourth International Mining History Conference with Townsville, Australia, as an alternative if Chile was unable to complete. (seconded by Harry Diebert (Colorado). On a vote of those present, this proposal was agreed.

6. After further discussion, it was agreed that the precise date and location of the Conference should be left to the Chilean organising committee but it should preferably be held in Sept/Oct 1998. The committee should have one year to decide whether they will be able to mount the conference and should inform Dr. Menghetti (James Cook University) for Townsville, if they are required to take over the organisation, by 1st June, 1995.

7. The initial organising committee for the Chile Conference would be comprised of Dr. Ibanez (Chile), Dr. Angelica Apez (Metropolitan University), Dr. Ronald Crazier (Chile), Dr. Robert Spude (National Parks. The Organiser of the Third Conference) and Dr. Menghetti (James Cook University) Townsville. For the alternative venue).

8. Consideration was given to a proposal by Dr. McDivitt (Colorado School of Mines) for the establishment of an International Mining History Organisation. Reservation were expressed about the difficulties of running this organisation but it was agreed that:

a) An informal committee should be established to work towards its establishment. (Proposed Dr. Glen Cook (Wyoming). Seconded Prof. R. Garside, (University of Birmingham).

b) A data base of the names and addresses of mining historians be established on the Internet to facilitate the development of this organisation and future conferences. Additional "news facilities" should also be developed to facilitate increased contact between members. Initial responsibility for these developments to be co-ordinated by Dr. Roger Burt (University of Exeter)

9. Prof. Ray Dummett (Purdue) moved a vote of thanks to Dr. Robert Spude for the very considerable efforts that he and his colleagues had put into organising this very successful Third International Conference. Carried by general acclamation.

10. The meeting closed at 1.00 p.m.