I have had a quick look at the area on Wiki and it seems likely that mining activity will either be coal or ironstone, both of which will produce bad air and probably other gasses especially if the shaft has been capped.
There is also a probability that the shaft will go to water.
If a possible shaft is located then video and possibly audio equipment could be lowered down it, basically specialist skills.
Enlarging on what I said earlier, the capping would appear as a large square of concrete and not be readily apparent as a capped mine shaft, also probably now overgrown.
Thing is, I haven't even visited the area, I am just going on what I have seen elsewhere.
My avatar is a poor likeness.