simonrl
  • simonrl
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15 years ago
Could somebody tell me how extensive upper silica mine is please?

I've a friend temporarily in S Wales and pondering a weekend there for some u/g.

Is there much else underground in the near area?

Anybody local to the area? :flowers:
my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by
Les W
  • Les W
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15 years ago
There are some caves near by as well...
I'm a very busy person
rhychydwr
15 years ago
And of course, there is a book. No, more than one book, all with surveys.
Cutting coal in my spare time.
ogof
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15 years ago
Will only take about half a day at most to have a good look round.
Vanoord
15 years ago
"simonrl" wrote:

Anybody local to the area? :flowers:



There is a gentleman you know from down south, who would certainly be interested in Adventure... đŸ˜®
Hello again darkness, my old friend...
simonrl
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15 years ago
That's a point!

If it's a good half day that would be good for a Sunday perhaps before driving home.

Any ideas for other mines in the area?
my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by
Peter Burgess
15 years ago
Have you been to Big Pit? Just off the Heads of the Valleys road and a good couple of hours needed.
rhychydwr
15 years ago
"rhychydwr1" wrote:

And of course, there is a book. No, more than one book, all with surveys.



THE CAVES AND MINES OF THE SYCHRHYD GORGE by Keith Jones April 1992 Part 9 in the series Limestones and Caves of South Wales. 32 pp 15 surveys and maps, colour frontis, 2 colour 3 B&W photographs / illustrations. This account presents detailed information on all the known caves and mines of the Sychrhyd Gorge. This enchantingly beautiful area is found at the head of the Vale of Neath, 3 kilometres north east of Glyn Neath near the village of Pont Nedd Fechan. The limestone gorge is 500 metres long and is located on the downstream end of the River Sychryd just before its confluence with the River Mellte, and is guarded by one magnificent portal- the famous Dinas Rock. Reprinted and revised August 2009. SB £10.00
Cutting coal in my spare time.
Ifor Lamp
15 years ago
If I know you have the right mine gas detectors, there are a few openings in a few coal levels, quite nearby.
Ty Gwyn
15 years ago
Your not a Fireman ,by any chance Ifor?
Morlock
15 years ago
You could also do the small mines behind The Angel pub if the recent rain has not filled them.

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derrickman
15 years ago
Big Pit is worth seeing
''the stopes soared beyond the range of our caplamps' - David Bick...... How times change .... oh, I don't know, I've still got a lamp like that.
simonrl
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15 years ago
"Ifor Lamp" wrote:

If I know you have the right mine gas detectors, there are a few openings in a few coal levels, quite nearby.



That sounds interesting, but I don't have a gas sensor myself. Would it be 1 per person or a number between the group?

Derrickman and Peter - not been to Big Pit but definitely will add this to the list. Thanks.

Just need to sort a date out now...
my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by
rhychydwr
15 years ago
and another book:

THE SILICA MINES OF THE LITTLE NEATH VALLEY by Tony Oldham 1993 reprinted 2006 12 pp, 17 colour photos, location map. In the original edition the photos were printed in black and white. Now with 21st century technology they have been reproduced in colour. The mines belonged to the Abernant and Dinas Silica-brick and Cement company. They were abandoned in 1909. Chapters include: History, Geology and A Tour of the mines. SB £5.00
Cutting coal in my spare time.
ogof
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15 years ago
Morlock, what is down the hole in the picture you posted, I have seen it but looking in it just seems to stop, is it worth going in?
Morlock
15 years ago
These pics were taken July 2010 during a very dry period, normally most of it is below water.
I can vaguely remember swimming about in there in the 1970s but can only guess at the true extent as even in dry weather water meets roof as passages continue down-dip.

Sorry about the poor pics, taken whilst out on a family walkabout.

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đŸ”—Personal-Album-1695-Image-55390[linkphoto]Personal-Album-1695-Image-55390[/linkphoto][/link]
Ty Gwyn
15 years ago
One thing for sure,

Thats no Smallmine.
The Brick archway,could have been an Airway for an old Colliery,but the underground photo`s look like the Silica mines
Morlock
15 years ago
There are a few more about both up, and down the valley.
Some seem to have been blocked over the years.

Edit: I think this is the one that goes nowhere.

Edit2: Tower is just up the road, may be worth some recent pics?

http://www.aditnow.co.uk/album/Tower-Colliery-Coal-Colliery-User-Album/?uid=1695 

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ogof
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15 years ago
Thanks for that Morlock, should have had a look in there over the summer when it was dryer.
Morlock
15 years ago
"ogof" wrote:

Thanks for that Morlock, should have had a look in there over the summer when it was dryer.



It may be worth a walk up the various valleys after the leaves have fallen to see what's still open, (plus a hard winter may lower the levels a bit).

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