If TM has access to the site then surely is he not a mine explorer?
As you say, this could probably lead to a very flimsy case at best.
Just be sure to scrape the mud off your boots before you leave or you could find yourself up for illegal removal of minerals!! 😮
Roy.M

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This mine is well-known by mineral collectors and has been stripped of all the beautiful crystals by unscrupulous mineral dealers and collectors. A few years ago there was an incident where a number of bats were killed by some idiot using explosives in the mine. The local police, EN and other bodies were informed and a close eye is on the mine. Surveillance equipment is installed by one of the listed authorities to monitor the situation. The mine is in the process of being gated which will only restrict underground exploration to bona fide explorers. Local clubs have put a lot of work into securing this mine for exploration, and assisting with the gating.
Also, there's the Mine Captains house that sits on top of the mine with a family living in. The vibrations shook the house and scared the occupants half to death. We have built up a good rapport with the occupants who provide us with electricity when required for work on the mine.
As a responsible explorer like many others I like to think that we can all visit the mine.
Regarding the bats - This mine is well-known for its bat population and is monitored by a local of the Devon Bat Group. It is recorded as a bat hibernation site which has laws to protect the bats. Even entry into a mine can cause the temperature to increase which could disturb the bats.
Tin Miner

to bona fide explorers.

Please define what this means.
Who gets to decide who they are and what criteria are applied to qualify as such?

to bona fide explorers.

Please define what this means.
Who gets to decide who they are and what criteria are applied to qualify as such?

Will probably need to be body searched to make sure they are not carrying explosives! :lol:

Bet this will lead to big arguments though!

It might, but its a fair question non the less ::)

It might, but its a fair question non the less ::)

I wasn't devaluing your question, but I can see some people regarding themselves as more bona fide that others. I have seen it before, as I am sure you have too!

to bona fide explorers.

Please define what this means.
Who gets to decide who they are and what criteria are applied to qualify as such?

Collins Dictionary meaning: - a. genuine adv. sincerely. Bona Fides = good faith, sincerely

RE: BATS - The simple answer is don't go into mines that are known to be bat roosts during the bat roosting season - go at other times of the year - the mine will not look much different 😉 simple simple simple. Besides, the bat huggers take great delight in weilding this stick and the odd prosecution really boosts their feelings of self worth.

For reference, does anyone know the last time anyone was prosecuted for disturbing bats in a Devon or Cornwall mine?

RE: TRESPASS - this is really a civil, not a criminal issue. If you are caught tresspassing on private property, the land owner can ask you to leave. You should then leave. If you don't leave they could use reasonable force - but that won't help access! The rules are different on some MOD property.

RE: BONA FIDE - calling yourself bona fide does not make you bona fide any more than standing in a garage makes you a car. There are several well known 'bona fide' mine explorers in the area who would not hesitate to remove a nice crystal from a mine (particularly if no one was looking) yet they are generally the ones shouting loudest about it.

Why are posts to this forum getting the ends chopped off the lines at the right hand side ? Even the header is being truncated ??

Graham

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It's not just you Graham... it looks like one element of the page is too wide and is truncating part of the posts.

EDIT - I can see what's causing the problem: I shall fix it in a sec ;)

EDIT 2 - fixed!

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