© University of Liverpool 2019
Planning for mine workings
You should never enter old mine workings unless:
•
you have the owner's permission in writing
•
you have your tutor's permission in writing
•
you are accompanied by a guide who has full knowledge of all of the workings
•
the workings are known to be safe.
This is a view of an abandoned mine at
Ettersgill in County Durham.
One hazard associated with working
quarries may be seen here.
Click on each hotspot to remind yourself
about this hazard and to find out about
additional hazards in disused mines.
Steep slopes, shafts, snakes and spoil heaps
This is the copper mine at Parys Mountain in
Anglesey. Mining began in the Bronze age. Initially
ore was worked on the surface from shallow
shafts. It was next worked by open-pit mining and
finally from underground via adits or shafts.
Hazards here are uneven walking surfaces and
steep slopes in the pit; adits and shafts into
underground mine workings; overgrown areas of
brambles that are trip hazards; a deep heather
covering that may shelter snakes. Even the water
in ponds and pools on this site must be avoided
because it is strongly acidic.
Disused mine equipment
This is part of the Corrie Buie Mines in Perthshire where galena (lead
ore) was worked. These mines were abandoned in 1921.
The winding gear shown here is in a poor state and would be
dangerous to use.
There is also a deep shaft shown. You need to be aware that
underground levels may open into deep shafts without warning.
This mine has steep rock walls, which are a hazard with risk of collapse
of unstable rock faces or rock falls resulting in head injuries, broken
limbs, burial and death.
Abandoned mine buildings
This is a view of Trewavas Cliff mine in Cornwall.
Trewavas mine is a disused tin mine.
The abandoned mine buildings here are a hazard
because they are in an unstable and dangerous
condition.
Another hazard at this site is the grassy slope
above the vertical cliff faces.
Mine waste
These are views of Ecton Hill mine which was was once a rich copper
mine in an area of Derbyshire.
The main hazard at this site is the extensive piles of rock waste produced
as a result of mining and which have been left on the hillside.