Site to assist in the management of the North Wales Mine Inspections for the LCMLA
Thank you to all who have registered to be included in this years inspection North Wales Mine Inspection reports.
Invoices have now been issued and as soon as payment has cleared for these we’ll endeavour to make the reports available to you as soon as possible via your Google Drive.
If you have not received your invoice please get in touch.
New providers can apply for the repots via this link: https://forms.gle/D7wkxPT9YV2W9FiWA
Sorry two posts from us today!
We’re looking to send out invoices for the North Wales Mine Reports in the coming days and issue new reports to all those who buy into the scheme as soon as payment has cleared.
Most providers have come back to us confirming their details etc (thank you! ) however a few are conspicuous in their absence…
It may be that you’ve not been receiving the mine reports emails (looking though our mailing list it would appear some email addresses are bouncing, some refuse to be set up with our Google Group and some are for staff who’ve moved on).
If you’re keen to buy into the reports please click on the button, fill out the form and let us know. It’s great if you can do this ASAP each year we look to divide the reports costs evenly (so the more that opt in at this stage the cheaper the report costs)
Thank you
Hello folks
For info some new ropes have been installed in Blwch y Plwm. 75m so far with some additional ropes to go in within the next month or so.
Several anchors have been updated with the view to replace a few more; we’re looking to phase out the Petzl Longlife anchors, a few of which are installed within the mine at present, as these cannot be pull tested (note the ones in the mine are not those recalled by Petzl last Summer)
Details of the rope here:
Several of the new resin anchors have been used as part of the traverse, and so some users may find the rigging slightly different from before. Just a reminder that these ropes are not for fall protection but group management. Staff should be installing and using their own ropes to belay group members etc.
Some further work with take place in the mine in the next few weeks to replace the traverse at the upper level, as well as instal a few more anchors. We’ll let you know once that works complete.
This years mines inspections will take place a little earlier than usual this year commencing the 24th (Tuesday) of February. There’s limited opportunities for award holders to accompany the mines engineer if that’s of interest to you.
If you’re keen to come along on an inspection please get in touch directly (info (at) nwminereports.co.uk). Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis as spaces are available.
The inspection programme is as follows:
We’ll also arrange an inspection at a later date for Penarth as there’s interest/ potential to re-open the mine.
Hello all,
A dedicated team have been busy placing and then testing anchors within Symdde Dylluan before Christmas, here’s the info they’ve provided:
In and right traverse x 6 bolts. All passed. Removed the metal bar at eye height.
In and right further in traverse x 5 bolts, last bolt had some movement but passed.
In and left traverse and pitch head left x 9 including 2 expansions.
First bolt on the left as looking out of the mine failed. Both expansion bolts failed.
I have replaced the one that failed, retested and passed. I have removed the 2 expansion bolts.
In and left pitch head right and back wall x 9 bolts. Looking at the back wall with a drop behind, the right-hand bolt passed but had a little movement.
Bottom of the ladder, up to the next tunnel x 6 bolts including 2 expansion bolts above the ladder. All passed. The left-hand expansion bolt is missing a washer.
The small ladder in there is 2m long. Might be good to have a 3m ladder instead.
Up and right traverse.
First 2 bolts expansion, then 8 x bolts towards the pitch head.
5 bolts at the pitch head. Bottom right to be removed as in an uncertain block. Started to chip away at the suspect block but it’s really quite strong 😅. Will need more work to remove.
Bottom of this traverse back down to main edit. 7 x bolts. All passed.
Traverse down to wooden platform x 8 bolts. All passed. I got very wet.
End of the world traverse x 8 bolts, 2 extra bolts at end but not needed, all passed. 1 expansion bolt. Not needed and not tested. Should really remove it.
Top of mega lower. 2 bolts in boulder passed, 3 bolts at pitch head passed, bolt in between failed at 5kn, rock failed.
I cleared a large area of rock, placed a new bolt and tested. Has now passed.
Passed anchors have been tagged with yellow cable ties. Testing was done with a calibrated Hydrawjaws. It also sounds like the farmer would be keen for a gate to be installed so this has been measured up. Will keep users updated if a gate goes in and any associated access arrangements
For info the frayed section of rope on the lower level traverse (the one around the water) within Bwlch y Plwm has been re-positioned so the frayed section has been taken out. This has been done with the spare rope left at the start of the traverse so any further damage will require a new piece of rope putting in. We can look to build that into next years plans as that whole section is getting on a bit.
In addition a 10m length of rope (details below) has been put in place replacing the first section of the Vertical Leader traverse across the top of the stope (see photo). This is for staff only who should be rigging their own ropes for group members to comply will the applicable regs. Note the ropes dated March 2025 (not Dec 2025 when it was placed).
I’ve tried to rig the new ropes/ sections close to anchors to reduce the need to move clips and where possible added some rope protectors but as ever instructors need to be vigilant.
Rope details here:
The rope is an DMM Worksafe 11mm.
Manufactured: September 2024
Serial Number: 24/09-008159
Last month Ed dropped off a batch of new BAs to replace some of the more tired looking or retired ones. I’ve just updated the list of BAs which can be downloaded here, or viewed from the mine reports website.
I’ll pop a hard copy in the mine in the coming days.
The rope reported as being damaged around the traverse pool on the adit level to Rhiwbach (technically floor 2) has been replaced. The new rope is labeled as being installed in March 2025, this being the purchase date.
The rope was originally cut into 2 lengths, one 10m, the other 32m. The longer length has been used to traverse the pool with the shorter length at the relatively recently bolted lead in section where the two ropes are attached as close to an anchor as possible (see photos).
Being recently installed the knots may need adjusting and so users should use the traverse with care until the rope and knots have settled. There’s at meter or two of spare rope at the far end of the traverse so should a section be damaged again it could be isolated rather than an additional rope rigged over it. Please do let us know if it gets damaged again via the email group.
The rope is an DMM Worksafe 11mm.
Manufactured: September 2024
Serial Number: 24/09-008159
The rope fixed for leaders to use when ascending the slab from floor 2 to 3 within Wrysgan has been replaced, it showing significant damage.
The rope installed is 32m of DMM Worksafe 11mm, manufactured September 2024.
As a reminder this rope is not inspected every 6 months within LOLER regulations, and so should not be used in any PPE capacity. Leaders should not be using any part of the fixed rope as part of their life lining system, rather rigging directly to either the anchors or large boulder as appropriate. If knotting the fixed rope please ensure all knots are removed following use as this appears to have been the cause of the damage.
Please ensure any damaged ropes are reported to info (at) nwminereports.co.uk.
This years mine inspections (2025) are now completed. There’s nothing urgent to report to users folioing the inspections.
Invoices will go out shortly to those who bought into the inspections last year, currently it’s looking like the overall cost of the reports will be similar to last year.
If any of your details have changed, such as e-mail addresses for those to access the reports via Google Drive, or be included in the mine reports email group please click here (https://forms.gle/fBTN56XkSGWCrBHKA) to fill in an application form.
Thanks again to those who helped out this year,
Gethin, Ed & Phil
