Author: nwmines

Bwlch y Plwm

nwmines

Yesterday, on our way out from a rather wet through trip in Bwlch y Plwm mine, we encountered a damaged section of rope on the last traverse on the bottom floor, the one that takes you across the left wall over a flooded stope when heading out-by. The rope was worn through to the core in 2 places where it had been rubbing on the rock face (probably rigged a bit too tight IMO).
Anyway, not knowing who this rope belonged to we did not want to remove it but did re-rig it so that the damaged could be isolated with alpine butterfly knots.
Perhaps the owner (if one of this group) could remove this damaged rope now, even if they do not replace it.

On another note, I was pleasantly surprised by the effort that has gone in to bolting this place up. Good work to whoever it was. If no one has any objections, at some point in the future, I plan on taking my battery grinder in and cutting off as much of the now defunct old rusty gear as possible; seized maillons, wobbly P38’s etc….
Offers of help / company are most welcome!

Pete Knight
www.undergroundspecialist.co.uk

Rhiwbach Entrance

nwmines

Hi all,

Just had a message that the entrance to Rhiwbach had a bit of a mud and rock slide in yesterday’s damp spell! Who knows what other mischief the water may have got up to yesterday. Would be worth highlighting to staff the need to move swiftly through the entrance/exits of the mines as well as being extra vigilant when underground, particularly around the brows of cross-cuts or areas highlighted within the inspection reports as needing monitoring.

We should also remind folk to avoid spending to much time in large chambers (as highlighted in the last few mine inspection reports) as it’s difficult to properly inspect the roofs.

All the best

Gethin Thomas
www.train4underground.co.uk

Rhiwbach rockfall

nwmines

Comment: Rhiwbach Fall.
Yesterday (19th July 2015) our staff reported a fallen block in the ‘Caban’ chamber of the drainage level in Rhiwbach slate mine. The fall occurred in the rear of the chamber, an area not normally visited by groups or staff.  If you were to stand with the caban on your immediate right looking inbye, this is the area of the chamber directly in front of you. The staff member was in the chamber when the fall occurred, and based on his experience as a slate quarryman and quarry blaster, he estimated the fall to be in the region of 1 to 2 tons.  We have had the chamber roof inspected by a CIC holder today, who has reported back to us that the roof and chamber walls in the immediate area used by staff going to get the boat are not affected by this fall. Misty conditions due to the wet weather today did not allow for a totally clear view of the rearmost reaches of the chamber, so at this point we have been unable to establish the exact location and extent of the fall.  Another inspection will be done tomorrow, hopefully with better visibility in the chamber.  I am aware that some users take their groups to have lunch near the caban in this chamber, and would urge all users to exercise extreme caution in this area.  We will inspect this chamber and the surrounding areas on a daily basis for the next few weeks and report any updates or further changes here.
Chris Phillips Operations Manager, Go Below Underground Adventures Ltd.

2015 Mine inspection repors now available

nwmines

This years inspection reports are now available to download. Please get in touch with the 2 email addresses you’d like to register with the scheme to gain access to the reports.

This years reports are likely to cost a little more than previous years as we’re planning some Radon tests over the Summer months. The results of the tests will be made available as soon as we have them.

Gethin

2015 Mine Inspection Reports available soon

nwmines

This years mine inspection reports have now been completed and will be available soon.

We’ve extended some areas and have had to remove one chamber on floor 1 (technically floor 2) of Rhiwbach, this being the forth chamber in along the last set of workings to the right (as you’re walking in) of the main adit. Also the chamber on floor 4 with the remains of a tripod on the floor (third to the right of the main drive) which had access partly into the chamber has had the whole chamber condemned. Plans of the effected areas have been emailed to those who’ve purchased the reports.

Also some rock was taken down in Wrysgan on floor 3, in the same area highlighted a few months ago. This route has not been condemned but does require monitoring.

We’ll be looking to conduct Radon tests in a few of the main mines used this Summer, so the cost of this years reports will be slighting increased to cover this cost. We’ll publish the results of the Radon tests as soon as we get them.

Gethin

Mine inspections 2015

nwmines
We’re looking to run this years mine inspections from the 16th of March, with the view to publish the reports in April (next financial year).
With this years reports we’ll also look at repeating the Radon tests conducted several years ago, so the overall cost of the reports may go up  a little.
Provisional programme is as follows:
16th March, Fish Caves & Talargoch
17th March, Cwmorthin & Wrysgan
18th March, Rhiwbach & Bwlch y Plwm
19th March, Minllyn & Gaewern
If you’re available/interested in accompanying Les during the inspections could you let me know.
Could you please confirm you’re wanting to buy into this years set of reports.

Gethin

Rhiwbach Entrance

nwmines

Hello all

Our staff have reported some earth slippage above the entrance to Rhiw Bach where there is now bare earth showing rather than full moss cover.   They felt that this could be due to soil movement due to the heavy rainfall and that it would be as well to keep an eye on this area in case further movement takes place.

Kind regards.

Faf

Faf (Cath) Bourke

Deputy Head

Plas Dol-y-Moch OEC

Anchors in slate testing

nwmines

Happy New Year!

Over the Christmas break we’ve placed several more anchors in 4 different test beds around North Wales, 2 in Cwmorthin, 1 in Corris and another in Cambrian (near Llangollen). There’s more info here: http://www.train4underground.co.uk/bolts-in-slate-testing-project/
We’re planning to test these anchors to destruction, having first “exercising” some of them (by pulling them to 6kN 6 times) to see how them perform. This should give us some statistically sounder data on how anchors perform in slate including different areas.
A rough timetable at the moment is to head to Cwmorthin on Tuesday the 6th of January, then Cambrian on the 7th of January (probably around 10am each day).
If you’re interested in helping out (and we really could do with some help! There’s some pretty heavy kit to carry up!!) please do get in touch

Gethin