Quarrying for iron ore began to the south west of the village in 1869. An ironworks was built close to the quarries and next to the Kettering to Huntingdon railway. The works began production of pig iron in 1873. The works became the centre of a network of quarries and mines not just near Islip but in the surrounding district over the next seventy or so years. Tramways brought the ore to the works from the immediate area as well as from Slipton, Twywell, Lowick and Sudborough. Most of the ore was smelted in the Islip works but at various times it was also taken to works at Wellingborough, Corby and further afield. This ore was transhipped into main line rail wagons at the sidings that were built next to the iron works. The Islip quarries were worked for iron ore on and off up to 1919 and again in 1933. Limestone was also quarried between 1900 and 1931. An iron mine called the Church Mine was begun 1910 The entrance was from one of the Islip quarries. Another mine was begun in 1923 with an entrance near Lowick called Church Mine North.The tramways in the open air were built to a 3 foot gauge but in the mines there were 2 foot 6 inch tramways. Haulage was at first by horses but from 1875 steam locomotives were introduced on the 3 foot gauge. In the mines horses were used throughout although things changed in the 1930s.