Report - Groverake Fluorite Mine, Rookhope - August 14

[The Amateur Wanderer]

Groverake Fluorite Mine - Rookhope - August 14

Evening all,

Another one from the back log, visited with Borolad on what was a really weird day... Had everything from sleet to sunshine up on that moorland. I won't include a history for this one on here, but check this website out, it'll give you everything and more on Groverake and other local pits: http://www.ukminingventures.com/Rookhope.htm

So on with pictures!

The Headstock

On the top next tot he winding wheels, in sleet, was sunny when we started climbing...

Don't look down!

Let's head inside...

Locker Room... Shot on my trusty Olympus OM-1 on Agfa ASA200 Colour Film.

Paper Work...

More Paper Work, shot on the OM-1 again

Names of past workers in the Pigeon holes...

Winding Gear.

Grabbed this on the way out...

And finally a shot of one of the workings and the 1878 dated stone. The working was full to the roof with water just a few meters in on our visit...

Thanks for looking guy's hope you enjoyed the pics!

 

[Lenston]

Re: Groverake Fluorite Mine - Rookhope - August 14

Quite nice that mate

 

[Lord Oort]

Re: Groverake Fluorite Mine - Rookhope - August 14

What we need is a pump!

 

[slayaaaa]

Re: Groverake Fluorite Mine - Rookhope - August 14

I love the film shots. Nice one. cheers for sharing.

 

[The Amateur Wanderer]

Re: Groverake Fluorite Mine - Rookhope - August 14

Cheers guys

And aye, a pump may be required

 

[pirate]

Re: Groverake Fluorite Mine - Rookhope - August 14

What we need is a pump!

You would be pumping for weeks

 

[Lord Oort]

Re: Groverake Fluorite Mine - Rookhope - August 14

Well ,yeah, obviously not a hand pump

 

[caiman]

Re: Groverake Fluorite Mine - Rookhope - August 14

I went underground there a few times back when it was working in about 1990. The Frazers Hush decline some way to the west was the main way in all the way down to the 325 level and below but that has now been backfilled. I did ride the shaft a couple of times - that was quite an experience as the cage is tiny.

I'm guessing that there's something like half a million tonnes of water (500 million litres) in there so good luck with pumping.

 

[pirate]

Re: Groverake Fluorite Mine - Rookhope - August 14

Well ,yeah, obviously not a hand pump

Hand pump would be years......still be weeks with a powered one

 

[Dan1701]

Re: Groverake Fluorite Mine - Rookhope - August 14

Hand pump would be years......still be weeks with a powered one

You'd need a truly powerful pump, as you're not just shifting the water that's in there but also all the water from the strata around the mine tunnels. However, all is not lost; looking at the map there looks to be at least one mill header pond in the area, plus plenty of smallish becks. Stick water wheels on some of those driving air compressors, and power the pumps off compressed air; that'll reduce the fuel load needed and air out the mine in the process. Best of luck getting through the back-fill, though.

 

[WildBoyz]

A nice little find that. You've managed to get some nice crisp shots despite the diverse weather.

 

[Gary Metcalfe]

I've been there a few times, had a look down the tunnel down the left hand side and it goes down some way, it's surprisingly not as backfilled as you'd think once you get past the first heap of dirt. Don't know if anyone has seen these but it's quite interesting.

Here's a video from when the mine was still partially open.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe2tdQFO6y8

And some more recent images from under the group