The mines of High Pike, which all lie on its northern slopes, have yielded numerous minerals since the 16th century, in fact, the most famous, Roughtongill is reputed to have yielded 23 different ores. Copper was extracted at the Sandbeds mine while lead and copper was mined at Driggeth mine. Latter some of the mines were reopened during the second world war for the extraction of barytes which was needed for the production of munitions, the last mine closed in 1966.