SCMC Members Research

In the past few years mining in Britain has undergone considerable changes. Modern "state-of-the-art" mines have often closed within a few years of opening, and some have even been abandoned before they were finished.

Old abandoned mines have become the focus of attention for planners and developers and hundreds of sites have been filled in, demolished and made "safe".

Working in conjunction with I.A.Recordings an attempt has been made to record something of Britain's underground heritage, before it is too late.

• A Tour of Clive Copper Mine, North Shropshire
• Clive Rescue Practice - a record of a rescue practice organised by the SCMC as part of its training programme, for Club Members, in rescue techniques.
• Snailbeach - this famous lead mine in the South of Shropshire, was once renowned as the "the richest mine per acre of ground in Europe" has had a long and varied history.
• The SCMC in Cornwall - follows Club Members as they explore the incomparable mining remains still to be found in Cornwall, both above and below ground.
• The SCMC in Ireland - follows members of the Club as they explore some of the mining heritage of Ireland, this "mining gem of a country" in 1995 and '96.

Note

The videos listed here are available on VHS tape in PAL, and NTSC (USA) formats, some are also available on DVD.

They can be ordered online from the I.A.Recordings web site, which features a wide range of mining and industrial history videos. (www.iarecordings.org)

Land of Poets, Scholars & Mines
Mining is not the first subject that springs to mind when thinking of Ireland. Yet it is indeed a 'mining gem of a country', managing to combine its well-known magnificent scenery with many unique remains and no less than three working zinc mines!

Produced to follow the itinerary of the 2003 NAMHO Conference, this tape is a brief tour of some of the best sites in Ireland, both surface and underground.

Please note:

Underground exploration can be potentially dangerous if you do not have the right equipment and skills. This is why you should consider joining a well established Club, who can train you and lend you equipment for your first few trips.

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Latest Release

Mining in the Landscape
Made for the 2006 NAMHO conference at Llangollen, this production explores the local extractive industries.

This area around the river Dee and Offa’s Dike isn’t one of the best known mining areas, but it had a rich and varied industrial history and there is a lot of evidence left to find. We start with one of the most prominent landmarks, the limestone escarpment of Trevor Rocks; and then visit the mines marked by impressive slate tips high up on the Berwyn mountains.

Slate mining and quarrying was very important and had a great impact on and in the landscape. We see the one remaining quarry at work, cutting great slate blocks from the mountainside and slicing them into useful sizes. The abandoned Deeside slab mill and quarry and the big mines at Glyn Ceiriog, Penarth and Moel Fferna are explored in depth. Their complex networks of huge chambers have many underground remains including inclines and a precarious miners bridge.

On the surface are abandoned rail trucks for moving slate and waste rock, pressure vessels, haulage inclines with sheave wheels and brake levers, a weighbridge and many buildings.

Dressing sheds, machine houses, brakesman’s cabins and a powder magazine all built of slate blocks still stand. Ironically, many had corrugated steel roofs and they haven’t lasted well!

East of Llangollen we see how the building of the canal and Pontcysyllte aqueduct made the area a hive of industry. Evidence of the widespread brick and teracotta industry is found, then we visit several coal mines including the preserved Bersham Colliery with its 670kVA electric winder and steel lattice headframe.

Other industrial monuments such as the stone vertical winding engine house of Wynnstay colliery, the buildings of Plas Power, Pen Rhos and Bersham ironworks lead us via the quarries and kilns of the limestone industry of Esclusham mountain to Minera lead mine. Southwards near Oswestry were more ancient coal, clay and iron workings, which formed a tight-knit industrial area dating back to the 15th century.

Visit www.iarecordings.org for more details.