royfellows
9 years ago
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.
Cuban Bloodhound
9 years ago
Yup, I've had a look for some of the fireclays around here and all that was left were waterlogged depressions where the drift or shaft once was.
JR
  • JR
  • 50.2% (Neutral)
  • Newbie
9 years ago
I'm truly sorry that what you perceive as negativity makes you conclude that mine explorers are unhelpful. I know for a fact that many on here will and have expended time effort and in some cases money (OK not often !) to try to rescue people/animals in mines.
The problem is that the mine in question is either coal or iron. Both types of mine are very very dangerous and full of noxious gasses as described. When the mines where operational giant fans kept air breathable and pumps kept water artificially low. In spite of this a mine needs constant maintenance to remain accessible so once the mine closes things quickly deteriorate to a dangerous state of affairs.
Some areas such as Cornwall and Mid/North Wales have mines for metal ores. By the nature of geology these mines are in hard rock areas and (mostly but not always) have breathable air. (Though there are mines in Cornwall which are radioactive to a degree that should deter most visitors).
What I'm saying is that we as a group are not unsympathetic but the advice given even if phrased bluntly is intended to prevent loss of life by people ignorant of the risks of disused coal mines.
sleep is a caffeine deficiency.
simonrail
9 years ago
I once discovered a dog in the iron ore workings near Waunfawr in North Wales because I heard it walking over stones in a hole some 15 feet deep, or thereabouts. It didn't bark probably because it had been there a week and had barked too much. I went to the nearest farm and me and the farmer's lad formed a chain and hauled him out by the scruff of his neck; both lad and dog (called Bill) were highly pleased to see each other.

Perhaps they lived happily ever after.

Yes, I'll have it - what is it?
Morrisey
9 years ago
"Cuban Bloodhound" wrote:

Yup, I've had a look for some of the fireclays around here and all that was left were waterlogged depressions where the drift or shaft once was.



Let me know how you get on and if you require any equipment?
Cuban Bloodhound
9 years ago
The former shafts and adits in the area were checked and no dog was found.

Morrisey, check your messages mate.
Morrisey
9 years ago
Good man.... Got your pm.
tiger99
9 years ago
I am not sure that the Fire Brigade will be able to help. Remember the fatality in Ayrshire a few years back? The senior officers would not allow their men to take the risk, and the very long delay most likely contributed to the lady's death. Does the Mine Rescue Organisation still exist? Their last known operational base in Scotland was somewhere near Cowdenbeath if I remember correctly. Otherwise, dealing with unsafe coal mine workings is the responsibility of the Coal Authority, who are the people to contact. If a dog or person falls into one of their shafts, they are liable, and it seems to me that would include being obligated to give as much advice and assistance as possible to the rescue. They also will have a list of approved contractors who can enter mine workings safely.
John Mason
9 years ago
Even hard rock workings can catch you unawares. I remember Simon Hughes and I rescuing a cow from a shallow open stope at Penybanc mine, Talybont. It had been down there for at least a couple of days. It was a tricky but eventually successful effort that left both of us feeling quite groggy - high CO2 levels almost certainly the culprit.
rhychydwr
9 years ago
There is a Mines Rescue at Dinas

https://www.minesrescue.com/article/dinas 


Cutting coal in my spare time.
Cuban Bloodhound
9 years ago
It's fine folks, I'm sure there are mine explorers up here who could rescue a dog providing the mine wasn't unduly dangerous.
BertyBasset
9 years ago
"rhychydwr" wrote:

There is a Mines Rescue at Dinas

https://www.minesrescue.com/article/dinas 



Mine rescue will be a thing of the past soon. As will steelmaking.
Morlock
9 years ago
"BertyBasset" wrote:

"rhychydwr" wrote:

There is a Mines Rescue at Dinas

https://www.minesrescue.com/article/dinas 



Mine rescue will be a thing of the past soon. As will steelmaking.



I suspect Dinas will be about for a while as they have diversified to other areas of safety training.

https://www.minesrescue.com/files/pdf/Dinas%20brochure%202011.pdf 
BertyBasset
9 years ago
True. Plenty of confined spaces around.

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