Report - Watersaw Spar Mine, Stoney Middleton, Derbyshire – December 2020

[MotionlessMike]

Watersaw was owned and operated by Glebe Mines out of nearby Cavendish Mill, who mined approximately 30,000 tonnes of Fluorspar per year but operations eventually ceased in 2009. After closure, mining eventually recommenced at the Milldam complex under Hucklow Edge.

Current owners British Fluorspar are keeping Watersaw on ‘care and maintenance’ should they wish to recommence mining activities in future.

Some blurb copied from nwex.co.uk:

‘The main workings were pulled from Watersaw at the top of Longstone Edge and then Sallet Hole at the bottom of the hill side…’

‘…these (types of) mines are subsidence mines so you never get to see much of the actual stopes or workings only really the adits and headings…’

Pix are a jumbled up mix of DSLR and phone. Visited with @Gsxrwayne and @Explorer budge

Thanks for looking​

 

[Lenston]

Nice those

 

[jtza]

Lovely stuff mate

 

[urbanchemist]

Is this one of the Sallet Hole mines?

 

[HughieD]

Fantastic set mate. So much round there and on my 'to do' list...

 

[Gsxrwayne]

Awesome pics . It was worth the revisit.

 

[MotionlessMike]

Is this one of the Sallet Hole mines?

Yes, although the workings at the other end are much more interesting

 

[Calamity Jane]

Very nice set. Like the darker shots best, real atmosphere :

 

[raisinwing]

Top notch again!

 

[grantellissheffield]

Fantastic set mate. So much round there and on my 'to do' list...

I've spent hours down the other entrance don't go in sub level 2 it's thick mud and you will soon be to your balls in mud and if on your own your stuff, sub level 3 dead end but cool little waterfall, if you ever fancy it give me a shout..

 

[MotionlessMike]

I've spent hours down the other entrance don't go in sub level 2 it's thick mud and you will soon be to your balls in mud and if on your own your stuff, sub level 3 dead end but cool little waterfall, if you ever fancy it give me a shout..

I think all the sub levels at the other end have been lost to a collapse on the main roadway now. Shame coz I only ever did the upper levels!

 

[grantellissheffield]

I think all the sub levels at the other end have been lost to a collapse on the main roadway now. Shame coz I only ever did the upper levels!

Come along and we can find out.. There are a few ways to bypass some sections in certain places the worst part s bend with the partial collapse as I called it the point of no return.. Love it down there in summer hot outside and nice and cool in there..

 

[HughieD]

I've spent hours down the other entrance don't go in sub level 2 it's thick mud and you will soon be to your balls in mud and if on your own your stuff, sub level 3 dead end but cool little waterfall, if you ever fancy it give me a shout..

Cheers buddy, will give you a shout.

 

[Down and beyond]

Dreaded toadstone that’s the issue in that area , they inserted all that wood to stop it just shows how much it moves if it shut in 09 that’s only 11 years Unbelievable !! Cracking report mate thanks for sharing

 

[Camera Shy]

Looks great down there, still never done a mine in 10 years exploring! Should put that right.