Sean Daly is the son of a well-known BC (British Columbia, Canada) salmon fisherman and he learned his respect for the environment from his Dad and also his love of history and politics. Strong interest in an old mine near his coastal hometown of Pender Harbour led him to university studies in geology and mining engineering. The study of mineral deposits led him to travel extensively in Latinamerica and visit famous mines like Potosi in Bolivia and Chuquicamata in Chile. Recent travel to Ireland, the Isle of Man and Spain made him aware of how ancient the art and science of mining is dating back at least to the times of the Roman Empire in Europe. Discovery of the ancient treatise, De Re Metallica by Georgius Agricola fascinated him with the accounts of the origin of many mining techniques and the use of applied geology in the 1500's in Europe. In addition, learning from the 'school of hard knocks' at the Highland Valley Copper Mine in BC for 19 years taught him modern mining and geological and geotechnical practices, which he compares with the ancient techniques, in this book.
