General Updates

Mine Inspections Completed (2025)

Mine Inspections Completed (2025)

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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

This years mine inspections (2025)

This years mine inspections (2025)

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Hello all,

Quick heads up that this years mine inspections will take place week commencing the 17th of March. We’re drawing up a plan for the inspections which this year will include Fish Caves, Rhiwbach, Wrysgan, Bwlch y Plwm, Cwmorthin, and Minllyn. We may also look at a new venue in the Nantlle Valley.

If any of the mines inspected in request require another look please let us know ASAP!

We’ll also look to complete a buoyancy aid inspection in Rhiwbach during this week.

There may be limited opportunities to accompany the mines engineer. If you’re interested get in touch.

Gethin, Ed & Phil

Bwlch y Plwm Bridge Fixed

Bwlch y Plwm Bridge Fixed

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A few weeks (maybe months!!) ago we had reports that the bridge in Bwlch y Plwm (top of the stope) was dead…

Good news it its now been fixed! The new bridge has yet to be secured to the floor so please be careful if you’re using it (the exit at that level was flooded when we looked at it last week (19th Oct, 2022). We’ll look to bolt/tie it down soon. There’s also no mesh on the top so it may become slippery over time; we’ll need to monitor this and sort it out if it’s problematic. Please do let us know!

Inspection Reports for 2022 now available

Inspection Reports for 2022 now available

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Invoices have just gone out for this years mine inspection reports. Once payment has been received access to the reports will be made available. Please get in touch if you’ve not received your invoice (note they are sent to the email address you’ve provided us for invoicing)

2021 Mines Inspections Completed

2021 Mines Inspections Completed

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This years round of mines inspections for North Wales is now complete. Access to the latest round of reports is being made available to those who’ve contributed to the costs of the four days. It would be greatly appreciated if those who’ve yet to contribute could do so.

Note the website has moved (slightly!) and been updated. The same is true of the google docs location.

This was the last year Les, who’s been inspecting the mines for us since 2014, with the role now being handed over to Steve. As a sign of our appreciation Les was presented an engraved miners lamp:

If others would like make a donation towards the cost of the lamp you can do so here:

Users Meeting Summary

Users Meeting Summary

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Thanks to everyone that came along to the users meeting. A summary of what was discussed and decided can be dowloaded from a password protected link. All those who buy into the scheme have been provided a direct link, however for those who can’t get access, get in touch and I’ll pass on the password.

Gethin

 

North Wales Mines Users Meeting

North Wales Mines Users Meeting

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  • Monday, 5th February, 2018
  • Oaklands OEC
  • 10am-1pm

Following previous years gatherings, we’ve arranged another opportunity for those working within the mines to get together, discuss any hot topics, concerns and find out about on-going projects and issues.

Details are also available here: www.northwalesmines.worpress.com

Rough Agenda

  • 10am Welcome/Introductions
  • Access
    • Update from CAL (Cave Access Ltd) who are manage access to some of the mines owned by National Resources Wales (previously the Forestry Commission)
    • Developments and access with Bwlch y Plwm
    • Rhiwbach
      • Feedback from residence meeting
      • Update on ongoing projects
      • Parking/trip alternative options
      • Buoyancy Aid Options
        • What type to go for
        • Inspection regime
      • Any other issues?
    • Radon
      • Where we’re at and what next
    • Recent rockfalls underground
      • Wrysgan
    • Possible projects group
    • Mine Inspections for this year (16-19 April)
      • Venues: Wrysgan, Bwlch y Plwm, Cwmorthin, Rhiwbach, Gaewern, Henddol & Aberllefenni
      • Any additional sites people would like to have inspected?
    • AOB

I’d hope we could rattle through this lot in a few hours, hope you can make it. Directions to Oaklands can be found here: http://oaklands-centre.co.uk/index.php/contact-us/how-to-find-us/

Gethin

31 January 2018

Rhiwbach Buoyancy Aids

Rhiwbach Buoyancy Aids

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We’ve introduced a periodic inspection regime for the BAs in Rhiwbach, with a log of the inspections held on a red clipboard in the mine.

Illustrations of the cover sheet, log pages (blank and following first entries) and numbered/marked BAs are here

BAs Number/Size
File Cover
Checked Dec 2017

Could staff using the mine please make sure any defective BAs are removed from the mine given there’s no secure “isolation” bin for any found to be damaged. Please also let us know if you do remove any BAs so we can make sure we keep enough in stock either through the contact us part of this site or through the email group. 

Here’s a video outlining the method used to float test a sample of the BAs. 2 older BAs were tested, both exceeded standard rated on the BA.

This system may well evolve based on feedback from users so feel free to get in touch if you think the system is not robust enough.