The Explore
Been wanting to head back down here after my first visit around 2 years ago and finally found the time.
First thing i noticed is an alarming hole thats opened up in the roof just infront of the hanging rails, was going to find this topside afterwards but forgot.
Theres also been movement in the 'dig' that leads to the old manlift as seen in a report by @thompski .
History
The Mine was officially opened in 1867 and was owned by a local family from a nearby village, The operation of the mine was to extract Calcite, Fluorspar and Lead Ore and by
1872 production was in full swing.
In 1899 shares were first issued at a value of 1 share to a pound and The operations at the site were taking place underground at 3 levels underground at 300, 375 and 420 feet with most activity
taking place on the 300-foot level.
In the 1920's the company which had changed names and switched hands several times over the years employed twelve miners and produced 12,200 tons of calcite (Derbyshire Spar) and 100 tons
of Lead Ore per year.
By 1964 they now employed 15 miners below ground and even more employees in the surface works, The mine now extended to just over 2 kilometers.
Due to the falling price of Calcite and increasing poor returns for ore the mine finished evacuation in 1981 however the company continued and still do to this day to operate above ground.
Been wanting to head back down here after my first visit around 2 years ago and finally found the time.
First thing i noticed is an alarming hole thats opened up in the roof just infront of the hanging rails, was going to find this topside afterwards but forgot.
Theres also been movement in the 'dig' that leads to the old manlift as seen in a report by @thompski .
History
The Mine was officially opened in 1867 and was owned by a local family from a nearby village, The operation of the mine was to extract Calcite, Fluorspar and Lead Ore and by
1872 production was in full swing.
In 1899 shares were first issued at a value of 1 share to a pound and The operations at the site were taking place underground at 3 levels underground at 300, 375 and 420 feet with most activity
taking place on the 300-foot level.
In the 1920's the company which had changed names and switched hands several times over the years employed twelve miners and produced 12,200 tons of calcite (Derbyshire Spar) and 100 tons
of Lead Ore per year.
By 1964 they now employed 15 miners below ground and even more employees in the surface works, The mine now extended to just over 2 kilometers.
Due to the falling price of Calcite and increasing poor returns for ore the mine finished evacuation in 1981 however the company continued and still do to this day to operate above ground.
