Author: nwmines

North Wales Mine Leaders user group meeting

nwmines

Hi All,

I’d like to organise a meeting for those who regularly lead groups underground in the mines of North Wales. The aim of the meeting is to try and discus a range concerns that some users have expressed over the last few months, as well as other topics such as access, bolting, radon and this years round of mine inspections. Can I just highlight the concerns expressed have not been targeted at one user group in particular, but broadly!

If you’re available please let me know by following the link: http://doodle.com/poll/57hb9nby7ad6ht6b with your availability, we can then make a decision on a date & venue. The link is also available on the North Wales Mines website: www.northwalesmines.worpress.com

Rough Agenda

  • Welcome/Introductions
  • Access
    • Chat from Dave Tyson, representing CAL (Cave Access Ltd) who are now managing access to some of the mines owned by National Resources Wales (previously the Forestry Commission)
  • Recent rockfalls underground
  • Rhiwbach parking
    • Concerns expressed about the number of vehicles parked in Cwm Penmachno
  • Group sizes underground
    • Concerns expressed about the number within individual parties being led underground
  • No-go areas
    • Groups continuing to lunch in large chambers for example
  • Anchors underground
    • Results of the BCA supported testing of anchors in slate; should we have a preferred anchor?
    • Funding of anchors
  • Radon testing this year
  • Mine Inspections for this year
    • Any additional sites people would like to have inspected & are people available to accompany Les
  • Do we need a more formal users group or an annual users meeting such as this one
    • Look at what’s being done in the Peak District
  • AOB

To make this worth while it would be great to get a broad range of input, so if you are available please let me know ideally here: http://doodle.com/poll/57hb9nby7ad6ht6b. Also let me know if theres anything else you’d like to discuss.

All the best

Gethin
https://northwalesmines.wordpress.com

Some movement in Rhiwbach

nwmines

There’s been a report of a rock fall on floor 3 (there’s a reason that floors not an approved route!) in the chamber above the bore-hole. It’s unlikely to have effected the approved route, however worth remaining vigilant. Please let us know if it’s effected the approved route.

Gethin

Rhiwbach Entrance

nwmines

Hi All,

As I’m sure everyone is aware there was a small(ish) land slide at the entrance to Rhiwbach a few weeks ago. Last week I managed a good look, and as well as some topsoil and smallish gravel sliding out of the bank on the left of the entrance there also appears to have been some movement/clearing off of surface vegetation and rocks from the entrance. There’s some photos of the entrance here:
One thing to keep an eye on is a large block above and left of the entrance which has got some cracks running along the bottom, side and back of it. It’s probably worth keeping an eye on, and, as with all entrances/exits, best to gather groups away from the entrance and move people through quickly.
Worth being particularly vigilant given the rain over the last few days/weeks (feels like months…) Please do let us know if anything changes in the mines.
Last week we had to inflate the front of the boat, if you find it the same could you let us know; it may need a repair. When the water levels go up significantly the boats been known to wander off down the entrance adit, so it may be worth tying it up at the far end of the boating pool if you’re one of the last groups in the mine.
Gethin

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