Hi,

Does anyone know of the historical background of West Chiverton Mine. I have obviously checked out Dines (1956), but a recent visit to the site revealed substantial vegetation coverage near Batters Engine House compared to the area of bare spoil. Does anyone know the reason for the vegetated state? Was there a dumping of topsoil in the area?

Cheers
T-dog

😉

I think the site was used as a landfill tip many years ago ,I was up there a few weeks ago and I see they have plugged engine shaft used to be a bloody large crater there

Just google earthed that site, boy that's changed, I was last there in the early 70's, got my first chunks of galena from there, there used to be an outlet for a shallow tunnel, an adit possibly where all that sand stuff is, that outlet was well choked back then but you could still see the tops of the timber sets inside.

Lozz.

the timber sets are still there sticking out the sands there's also a lot of water coming out from the undergrowth on the left hand side as you look up the small valley

When I went to Batters in 2012 the whole area to front of engine house was filled with piles of waste and stones which were weeding over

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When I went to Batters in 2012 the whole area to front of engine house was filled with piles of waste and stones which were weeding over

Thanks for that.

Water used to come out of that old tunnel back then when I was last there.

Lozz.

Just google earthed that site, boy that's changed, I was last there in the early 70's, got my first chunks of galena from there, there used to be an outlet for a shallow tunnel, an adit possibly where all that sand stuff is, that outlet was well choked back then but you could still see the tops of the timber sets inside.

Lozz.

It was run in 1989, my first visit.

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These shots were taken in February this year (2014)
Seeing an exposed section of adit such as this is pretty unusual and its setting lends a truly bizarre aura to the place. It would make a good location for a sci-fi film.
There is little else at this end of the site, but what is there, is real camera fodder. I shot some medium format B&W and want to go back and shoot some more with a more contrasty film; Ilford Pan F, my all time film of choice. Shoot at quoted speed but extend development for 20 seconds. Gives contrast, depth, grittiness, and superfine sharp details.
Thinks....must check to see if there are any help groups to wean people off film........

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According to Dines (I think) adit is about 6 fathoms deep at either Batters or Glubb's Shaft. I'd say that's probably it. I would have thought it came out deeper in the valley.

The engine house would make an awesome dwelling.

Looking at those pictures I would say that some of those timbers have been exposed since I was last there in the 70's, the lane that the water flows towards used to have a largish area of slimes/tailings or whatever on the other side of it, no doubt carried by the water.

Lozz.