James Curruthers, mineral borer

Here is an invoice dated July 1889 from James Carruthers, Mineral Borer, from Caledonian Road in Wishaw, Lanarkshire, for boring at Rigfoot Farm.

James Carruthers was born in about 1844, the son of another James Carrruthers and his wife Elizabeth (Betty) Martin.

James generally gives his place of birth as Cambusnethan, but sometimes as Bellshill or Newmains. He married Elizabeth Nisbet, and they had at least seven children. We first see James in Caledonian Road, Wishaw, in the 1871 census. James died on 21 July 1917, aged 73, when his address was West Thornlie Street.

This is the first time that I have come across an occupation of mineral borer. The term seems to be commonly used arounf Lanarkshire and may be connected with coal that became an important industry in the area in the mid 19th century. Any background information on this, or on James Carruthers, would be very welcome.