you will proberly find that these shafts will have been for pumping,the concrete houses over them and the ladderway/power cables seem to point that way,mining stopped there a long time ago however without checking im sure i remember mosley common maintained pumping in a few old pits to keep their workings dry.
be carefull though it seems blocked part way down because its likely been backfilled and has slumped over time.
geoffrey hays did an exellant book on manchester pits,if you know the area we might be able to give the pits name theres quite a few on here that are very clued up on machester pits.
:angel:
if its a hole explore it...