Message no. 1

From:	Luke Kendall <luke@********.CANON.OZ.AU>
Subject:	Magic and economics - mining
Date:	Tue, 10 Jan 1995 10:35:02 +1100

Firstly, we made the decision (since we couldn't find any
rules), that an Earth Elemental could make a tunnel through
the earth, equal to its Force in metres per minute.

(Obviously they can move/flow through the earth much faster
than this.)

Given that as a basis, then the economics of mining alters
radically. Given a Hermetic mage, or a small team of them,
mining companies could construct very large mines, at very low
cost, with very high safety margins, and make them environmentally
clean into the bargain.

I wouldn't be surprised if the cost today of tunnelling through
rock cost on the order of the Volume (in cubic metres) x $1000.
(Anyone have any real facts?) If so, even the most miserly
estimate of the capabilities of an earth elemental would give
you all these amazing economic benefits.

I'm sure that the same would be true in other areas. It's hard
to see the FASA line (ordinary people distrust mages) stopping
Corps from using them when it would boost profits, for example.

Any comments?

luke