Site to assist in the management of the North Wales Mine Inspections for the LCMLA
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)
Here’s a few images/warnings issued over the years that still stand for some sites. These images have dropped down to the bottom of the news feed on the site so I thought I’d add them again and stick them to the top of the updates feed.
Rhiwbach Brow
Here’s a photo of the brow taken after the cracks were originally painted, this image can be used to compare any changes
Rhiwbach Entrance Adit
Picture of the entrance which has seen some vegetation’s slippage over the Winter of 2015-16
Rhiwbach Top Entrance
Photo following clearing some loose rock at the exit of the mine
Wrysgan Slab
Route passed the fallen (eased) block between floors 4 & 5 in Wrysgan
Wrysgan Roof
Section of roof which pealed away in 2014. Photo can be used to compare changes
To inform other users of any changes to any of the mines used within the North Wales LCMLA scheme please either send an email to: minereports@googlegroups.com (these can only be sent from email addresses registered when purchasing this years mine reports) or alternatively click here to send your report through the contact us page.
If emailing the group please note that all users will receive your message, so please use this mechanism considerately.
Any important updates will be summarised and reported here
This years round of mine inspections is now complete 🙂
No major issues where found which is pleasing to hear! Full reports will be made available to purchase in the coming weeks. Thanks to all who helped out during the inspections.
Hopefully people are aware that we’ve a users meeting planned for 10:30am (no earlier!!) at Plas Dol y Moch (https://goo.gl/maps/PjR8rm38VRcAJV5p7) Friday the 9th June to discuss the use of the mines within the LCMLA scheme. The plan for the day is to provide people an opportunity to discuss any issues with the mines and to update users on some of the outcomes from this years inspections which will have an impact on many of us.
Following the meeting the hope is to have a working party head up to Wrysgan Slate mine to complete some of the works we’ve been asked to do. This is basically building up some wall barriers so underground kit and gloves are recommended.
See you all tomorrow,
Gethin, Ed & Phil.
80m of rope has been put instu within Bwlch y Plwm to replace the damaged rope reported earlier this year. Some additional anchors have also gone in to hopefully reduce the rub points although some sections have clear plastic tubing over the rope to protect it.
We’ve also left about 2m of rope either end of the traverse so should a section be damaged we’re spare rope to cut out damaged sections (please don’t trim it!)
We’ve received reports of a rockfall in Wrysgan Slate Mine on floor 3 (near the abseil point in the middle of that level). Best chat with your employer/deployer before using the mine with groups.
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!
For those using Rhiwbach, you’re likely to be aware of some areas of concern highlighted last month (notices were placed at the entrance to the mine).
This area does not appear to have changed in over a month. Those buying into the inspection scheme have been issued an update on the area today. Please check in with whoever you’re working for to ensure you’re aware of the update.
Please continue to report any changes immediately via the mine reports email group
Best avoid exiting via the airshaft for a bit until some loose material is sorted out. Check with those who buy into the inspection reports for more details.
The padlock (and cable) for the canoes in Bwlch y Plwm has been replaced. The new code is 2116
Please lock up the boats after use
Hello All,
We had a group in Rhiwbach today, the forest looks like a bombs hit it, I’ve not seen it that bad in the 16 years I’ve worked here! On entering the forest we quickly decided it was not a good place to be, with some amazing noises and swaying trees. Not long in the paths blocked by various large trees.
We retreated around the forest and up the hill to access the mine from the east. On entering from that side one of the trees above the mine entrance has fallen looking menacing but solid. Further into the forest there was a significant tree down blocking the path.
If accessing the mine from the fields it will be necessary to walk through the village which we’d need to be sensitive about.
Gethin