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Mine exploration, photographs and mining history for mine explorers, industrial archaeologists, researchers and historians

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bharries95
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

4 years ago

Hello AditNow members, I've been a bit of a lurker here, in fact I can't even remember when I signed up. I have been an active caver for some time but now looking to explore more mines as I have more interest in the man made history left behind in them, most of my trips are photographic in nature, I want to move away from caving for a few reasons.

My problem is I'm trying to ascertain how to find mines to visit or even leads to research and then visit them after having failed and having abuse throw at me on a particular Facebook group even after I explained I had been an active caver and know well the dangers and responsibilities of conservation etc after asking for a location.

Also I'm in South Wales, near Swansea.

So basically I just want to explore mines and take photographs.

Have a good day all.

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Down and beyond
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

Hello welcome aboard for exploring mines your in the right place :thumbsup:

From the land of the pillar and stall

cantclimbtom
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

It won't be long before you are reading mine surveys/plans before a trip (if this lockdown ever ends!) and start thinking about rope lengths in fathoms rather than metres 🙂

Expert in incompetent tomfoolery

bharries95
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

4 years ago

Thanks guys, do people just generally use AditNow search to plan their next trip? I can't wait until we can go out and do some trips and take some photos again

Cheers

Paul Marvin
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

I would forget social media if you need info just ask guys on here once you gain peoples trust you will find them all VERY helpful, I have had lots of info given to me over the years from this site and dont even use any form of anti social media.

Depending on the rules we will be doing a trip to South Wales late March if you want to meet up I/We also do a lot of photography and videography check out our You Tube channel " Patterdale dive & cave " keep you busy on the TV for a while

Welcome BTW 😉

"I Dont Know Where I am Going, But When I Get There I will Know Where I am"

bharries95
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

4 years ago

Thanks for the offer Paul, I will be happy to tag along hopefully by then we can go out and about. I don't really engage in social media I never really took to it, plus most of the time it is just drama.

Also I'd be posting my pictures and sharing with the community when I can, the closest mines to my house in walking range are coal, most are open access but ofcourse dangerous and I do not have a gas meter which is a shame. One is very interesting as it is a vertical shaft which is situated in a building that is now ofcourse ruins, I still have alot to learn but this vertical shaft is not capped off and I've thrown stones down and they take about 3 seconds to get to the bottom with a big splash, would this be a lift shaft?

Thanks

Moorebooks
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

A useful guide to metal mines in south wales is George Halls
Metal Mines of Southern Wales they are new copies and at £8 are cheap

https://www.moorebooks.co.uk/Metal-Mines-of-Southern-Wales.html

As for entering coal or iron mines you need to be very careful , someone abseiled into a coal shaft nr Edinburgh not so long ago and they didn't come out alive . The style of mining often doesn't leave much either with longwall methods and retreat mining collapsing the roof as they come out. Obviously that's not always the case you would need to be very experienced and certain of what your entering

Mike

Mike

rikj
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

"bharries95" wrote:

My problem is I'm trying to ascertain how to find mines to visit or even leads to research and then visit them

Aside from looking on here one good route to follow is:

- read the book
- read the map
- read the landscape.

Also, ask a dogwalker. They always seem to have knowledge of local stuff.

Far more enjoyable than the more modern approach of "got a grid ref?" ;D

Welcome to Aditnow.

robnorthwales
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

"bharries95" wrote:
Thanks for the offer Paul, I will be happy to tag along hopefully by then we can go out and about. I don't really engage in social media I never really took to it, plus most of the time it is just drama.

Also I'd be posting my pictures and sharing with the community when I can, the closest mines to my house in walking range are coal, most are open access but ofcourse dangerous and I do not have a gas meter which is a shame. One is very interesting as it is a vertical shaft which is situated in a building that is now ofcourse ruins, I still have alot to learn but this vertical shaft is not capped off and I've thrown stones down and they take about 3 seconds to get to the bottom with a big splash, would this be a lift shaft?

Thanks

As Mr Moore has said, coal mines are a very quick way of getting very dead

Gas meter, knowing how to use it, knowing how to read the weather (changes in atmospheric pressure can make coal mines even more dangerous) and a hell of a lot of experience before you even consider going into anything coal - and if you do, keep it really quiet, as the Coal Authority will seal up anything that comes to their attention (and they do frequent this and other sites).

The flip side is that if you do know of anything really dangerous coal-wise, you can bring it to their attention yourself, and get the public protected

Madness takes its toll, please carry exact change

bharries95
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

4 years ago

#10

Thanks for the replies everyone, I have ordered Metal Mines of Southern Wales. I will ofcourse stay away from coal mines, what are the safest mine to visit as I do not have a gas meter yet but will purchase one when I eventually need it.

Also the coal mines that are open are luckily very hard to find unless you know where they are, I spent alot of time around the area as a younger la enjoying the outdoors and came across them.

Thanks everyone

Down and beyond
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

#11

I would personally advise go for a well travelled slate mine mate , coal and iron ent much fun for people that ent use to it , , look on the cave access limited website also having permission goes a long long way :thumbsup:

From the land of the pillar and stall