Know anything about medieval mining?

[Kheti sa-Menik]

So....I have a call for suggestions/ideas.

My PCs are going to be the constables of a small mining settlement in the mountains. They don't get a regular salary, but instead they were given shares in the mine. If the mine does well, the PCs do well.

Anything know anything about silver mining in a pseudo-medieval world like D&D? How much money in raw ore could be taken out in a good year? How many "shares" would there be in an operation like that?
Suggestions/ideas welcome.

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

Here's one good source - I may have some more on my home PC.

http://www-geology.ucdavis.edu/~cowen/~GEL115/

 

[Xyanthon]

Sweet! I was contemplating something similar a while back. Great link, I shall peruse this at my leisure .