The most important lode of the Camborne/ Redruth mining area was undoubtedly the Great Flat Lode. Part of this is still accessible today from the Wheal Uny Mine, which at the time of working, had the dubious distinction of loosing more money for its shareholders than any other mine in the area

The St Just mining area is well known for its narrow lodes, this led to the situation where each “pitch”, would usually worked by one man working on his own. The above picture was taken in the St Just United mine on Bozands Lode, easily accessible today from an adit in Priests Cove. An interesting feature for the modern explorer is the fact that it is possible to enter the mine on one side of Cape Cornwall and emerge on the other! This is due to the driving of an adit from the Porthledden side in 1910. Up until recently there was the remains of tin dressing floors, just below this adit. However, they have now been completely eroded away by the sea.

  Angle bob. Llanrwst Mine                                                                 False floor, Cwffty 25-fathom level

  The above pictures are typical of the underground mining remains accessible up to the time when the Forestry Commission sealed off all underground workings. Parc Mine was interesting in itself to explore, however one of the main attractions was the 19^th Century remains into which the Parc workings had broken. Lanrwst Mine was unique in its pumping arrangements. An underground shaft was sunk; this was fitted with pump rods, which took their power from pre-existing pump rods in the neighbouring Endeans Shaft. The Cwffty 25-fathom level has a large expanse of false floor, one of the hazards of modern exploration. Actually, the drop under where I am standing is only about 10 feet.

 The Gwynfynydd gold mine is notable in that fortunes have been both made and lost there. Originally worked by T.A. Redwin in 1863, he made the mistake of introducing Pritchard Morgan, the 19^th century Welsh gold king, to the property. Morgan, by more than a little slight of hand, eventually took over the mine. Since then it has continued to attract investors up to the present day. The underground workings are interesting in that they contain a mixture of artefacts ranging from the 19^th century up the present. The above picture shows an old ladderway in the 1890 incline. This is part of an incline system that cuts nearly all of the major levels from top to bottom. Note the “flatness” of the lode in this area, 45 degrees. During the last reworking, a small tourist route was established, people being taken to the mine by minibus from the Gold Centre at Dolgellau. However, the section shown on the above photograph would certainly not be on the itinerary!

 When you mention North Pennines to a mining enthusiast he or she will probably think of Nenthead. Indeed, the small North Pennine village of Nenthead has probably what is the largest complex of accessible underground mine workings in the country.

 This picture is also from the same area. Most of the underground artefacts are from the Veille Montagne period of working. One unfortunate aspect is the steady removal of such objects. Up until recently, there was an area of the Caplecleugh Mine where the remains of several old newspapers could be seen. These featured the marriage of a Royal Naval commander during the First World War. Recently these have been removed. I would bet that they just fell apart after removal, so now they are no use to anyone. Many underground relics are a source of great interest to modern explorers, however once removed to the cold light of day, loose most of their appeal and become just so much garbage. Eventually being thrown away.