The Miner. A synopsis of a novel by F. Robert. This is a fiction novel of the life and loves of Christopher Kennedy an innocuous investment clerk who completes his studies to become a mining engineer; and how he forms a strong friendship with his university lecturers, professors Strahan and Riley. The story tells of how he sets out to fulfil a dream to explore that mysterious and unforgiving immense land known as The Australian Outback and how he discovers the escarpment and the sinkhole; one of the geological phenomenon of the Outback. The discovery almost costs him his life. He is saved by the native people with whom he lives with for many months. Upon his return to civilisation, by chance he wins sufficient money to enable him to pursue his dream. During his time back in civilisation he meets Jackie; a very beautiful and most efficient young personnel assistant, who he helps overcome a problem. She accompanies him through the remainder of the book; eventually becoming his wife. The story of their love runs from heart rending anguish to bliss. His accountant brother, Rex is always in the background overseeing his welfare as he pursues many endeavours. His return to the Outback is rewarded with the discovery of a substantial gold bearing reef. He meets Ben the boss of the Government crusher and smelter when he takes samples of his newfound discovery for analysis. Ben joins him in his to assist in the development of his gold mine, and many other ventures. There are several times when interlopers endeavour to interrupt his plans. After several struggles with the financing of all his projects and now being a very wealthy man, he purchases a rundown cattle station and installs his brother-in-law Peter, a highly respected cattle man; the husband of Jackie’s sister Izzy, to manage the station. The combination of The Miner and The Cattle Man enables them to rebuild the rundown station up to become a prosperous enterprise. When on walkabout with Jackie they discover a massive pegmatites reef that is rich in spodumene crystals, a source of lithium, he and Ben set about to develop yet another mine. Using his mining expertise and with the help of the university and the professors. Chris and Jackie pursue their favourite pastime, going walkabout in the Outback and find a crater formed when a giant space diamond meteorite struck the Outback. Chris is faced with the problem of having such an excess of diamonds he does not have a market for them. There are many others who appear in the book. Jack Yindi, and Sam- Chris and Jackie’s children; Penny, a talented artist, Ed. the brilliant mechanical engineer, perhaps best described as a diamond in the rough; Hector a decorated discharged air force officer and his daughters Susie, and Annie; Vanessa and Jamie who manage the resort Chris builds and Giuseppe the interpreted Italian builder. There are others who all contributed to the story as Chris moves to create a most successful mining dynasty.
