Mine a Million

Overview

Mine a Million (also known as The Business Game) is a 1965 economic board game by Waddingtons. Players manage a mining business, producing units of tin and transporting them to ports for sale. The game progresses through three phases: using lorries, establishing canal barges, and finally shipping goods by sea. The first player to earn one million dollars wins.

Components

• 1 game board (mining area, canals, and sea routes to 3 ports)
• Player tokens and money
• Vehicle tokens (lorries, barges, ships)
• Production units
• Dice

Setup

1. Place the board centrally.
2. Each player takes starting money and positions their mining operation.
3. Place vehicle tokens in their starting locations.
4. Determine the starting player.

Turn Structure

On your turn:

1. Roll dice and move your transport vehicle.
2. Produce units at your mine.
3. Transport units via available vehicles (lorry, barge, or ship).
4. Sell units at ports for money.
5. Invest in better transport infrastructure.

Actions

Production

• Mines produce units each turn.
• Units must be loaded onto transport vehicles.

Transport

• Phase 1 (Lorries): Transport units by road. Limited capacity.
• Phase 2 (Canals): Establish canal companies. Barges carry more but are restricted to canal routes.
• Phase 3 (Sea): Ship goods across the sea to distant ports for higher prices.

Selling

• Three ports offer different prices:
  • Nearby ports: lower prices
  • Port Boston (farthest): highest prices
• Selling at Port Boston is the most profitable.

Vehicles

• Vehicles cannot be purchased outright; they are leased.
• To lease, a player must have enough units to fill the vehicle (or contract from other players).

Scoring / Victory Conditions

The first player to accumulate one million dollars wins.

The fastest path: get 10 units to Port Boston (farthest) and 5 units to either of the nearer ports.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Vehicles require minimum cargo to lease.
• Players can contract cargo space from other players.
• The three-phase progression represents technological advancement.
• The game is a classic of British board gaming.

Player Reference

Turn: Roll -> Produce -> Transport -> Sell -> Invest

Transport phases: Lorries (early) -> Canal barges (mid) -> Ships (late)

Win condition: First to $1,000,000