|
|
Rock Lead & Baryte Mine |
||||||
 |
Historical
Background The mine was also known as Rockhouse or Leeds Rock House or South Bog and was in the ownership of the Shropshire Lead Mines Ltd , Minsterley. The length of operation extended from the 1850’s to 1945, with many periods when it was idle or just the tips were being worked.
|
|
Remains Today The site was last surveyed in detail by the Club in 1978. Then 2 of the shafts were blocked and 1 was open to water at 220ft. This shaft was descended and a deep stope discovered 50ft down, with levels off in both directions along the vein at the bottom of the shaft. A length of rising main stuck up from the shaft bottom. |
| The Site in 1998 Six club members lead by Ben Shaw undertook to explore the still open shaft on a very wet January day - using SRT rather than electron ladders as used on the 1978 trip. It was hoped to gain access to the levels, previously un-explored. The top of the shaft consists of loose, weathered rock coning into a square shaft about 3 metres across. This is surrounded by a dilapidated post and wire fence. Ben had made a visit to the shaft at the end of last year in which he had successfully descended it after bolting a good Y-hang rebelay in the competent rock just over the lip of the shaft. On this occasion he did not make any exploration of the levels or stope. He was keen that a proper, supported exploration and survey of the accessible mine should take place. |
|
| Rigging the Shaft Ben initially rigged and descended the shaft, only to reappear a little later to let us know that the rope was 3 metres too short for a 60+ metre pitch. Fortunately it was the bottom bit that was missing! I swapped places with Ben and re-rigged the pitch with a slightly longer rope. By this time the others had built themselves a cosy shelter from the driving rain, so Ben was volunteered to descend again! It was also noted on his previous visit that communication from the shaft to surface was almost impossible, so we decided to rig a ‘leaky’ feed radio set up. This worked quite well with our base station at the surface and Ben and myself having mobile hand held (but not dropped!) units whilst on the rope. The shaft is very impressive and allows a free hanging descent of over 60 metres to a partially backfilled/flooded bottom. It is uncertain as to whether this is merely a sump or if the shaft continues deeper. The accompanying survey gives some idea of the short levels we could access and the visible remains. |
|
|
|
|
|
References Published information on the mine is somewhat limited and often reiterated from earlier accounts or bulletins. I intend to do a bit more background research in the near future. However, we do know that there were published production returns for both lead and barytes, although these figures were often included with neighbouring mines. If anybody has any further background on the site, I would be interested to know more! Follow-ups can be e-mailed to the Club at the address on the home page. |
Bats are known to live in the area, and some were found in the workings examined. DO NOT disturb them, particularly during the hibernation season.. Warning
|
|
Credits Report: Alan Robinson
|
|
Bats
...
