Iron oxide
After around 1920 a new purpose was found for the iron ore. Iron oxide extracted from the ore was used in gas purification plants to absorb various cyanogen compounds present in coal gas (town gas). The ore was calcined by the 'New Seend ironworks' to remove the earthy residues, and shipped to cities such as London, Liverpool, Birmingham and Swansea. Exploitation was renewed between 1939 and 1945 and in 1953 was carried on by the Westbury and Seend Ore &amp; Oxide Co. Ltd. Iron oxide was also used for making paint.