Mining in this area of Derbyshire for marble can be traced back in history to the early 1500's, whats interesting though it that it isnt actually marble but instead an impure form of limestone that polished up to a beautiful black. True marbles have been metamorphosed (changed physically) by heat from limestone.
It has a black color on account of the high bitumen and mud content. Black marble items such as inlaid tables attracted the attention of royalty and other rich folks. The heyday was during the 18th and 19th centuries.
This place seems very similar to a popular chert mine down the road as all mining activity seems to have taken part on one level with intertwining sections, the dark walls seem to absorb any light thrown at it, hoping to do a revisit soon with my camera
The mines are now gated and looked after by the DCA and the Chatsworth estate, there are signs of collapses all around this mine with a lot of sections taped of for safety, it was good to get down here whilst its still possible.
There is noticeable movement in the ceiling which is monitored by wedging a rectangle piece of plastic into roof cracks and if in time there on the floor this is a indication that there is movement, hence why there is so much of the place that you cant go
Theres also another marble mine nearby but access seems to be hard to get as there have been more serious collapses there...maybe one day.
many spider sacks
a lot of taped of sections in this place and for good reason
and old entrance now gated, this section of the mine is also unreachable from the inside due to collapses
what looks to be original miners writing
It has a black color on account of the high bitumen and mud content. Black marble items such as inlaid tables attracted the attention of royalty and other rich folks. The heyday was during the 18th and 19th centuries.
This place seems very similar to a popular chert mine down the road as all mining activity seems to have taken part on one level with intertwining sections, the dark walls seem to absorb any light thrown at it, hoping to do a revisit soon with my camera
The mines are now gated and looked after by the DCA and the Chatsworth estate, there are signs of collapses all around this mine with a lot of sections taped of for safety, it was good to get down here whilst its still possible.
There is noticeable movement in the ceiling which is monitored by wedging a rectangle piece of plastic into roof cracks and if in time there on the floor this is a indication that there is movement, hence why there is so much of the place that you cant go
Theres also another marble mine nearby but access seems to be hard to get as there have been more serious collapses there...maybe one day.
many spider sacks
a lot of taped of sections in this place and for good reason
and old entrance now gated, this section of the mine is also unreachable from the inside due to collapses
what looks to be original miners writing
