I have worked underground for many years in Western Australia, I love it when we break into old workings, the timbers, the pigsty's, the old ladderways, such skill. The thing I'm really proud of is that my birth certificate says Fairview Terrace Tresavean Lan er Cornwall, and I'm still down a bloody hole on the other side of the world. Keep the videos coming guys, but stay safe. Timberman Dan.
Wow, that’s an impressive mine, glad you can’t get to the bottom, imagine trying to climb back up! My heart was in my throat watching you cross that ledge.
Well I have dangled on ropes with big drops below, abseiled, and done other silly things but always above gerund and there is absolutely no way you would get me down that hole! While watching you guys I even had that feeling I used to get when I looked down from an exposed place, sort of falling feeling. Take care and all the best.
Hi guys. I worked botalick in 1984 and the head frame was erected in sight of the old ark royal aircraft carrier on her way to scrap yard. The project stopped when after putting the faraday gantry in the shaft we found the collar was so under cut or bottle necked that it was impossible to pour a new shaft collar the company i worked for was called thyssen mining. Great seeing you. Barry
Oh guys! I've spent a lot of long family holidays many years ago in Cornwall and loved seeing abandoned mines, every one we passed, my Dad had to stop for us to examine it. Got to go in a 'museum' mine once (Geevor) and it was one the best times I ever had. Your videos are beyond exciting but I must admit I sometimes have to watch through my hands! Thanks for sharing, have fun and please be safe.
My favourite part of this exploration 4:56 a proper British reaction 😂😂 plus I love how you bleeped that one out but not the others a few seconds later 🤣
Incredible to watch, and so exciting! I grew up and live in one of the houses closest to the shaft you climbed down, and have always wanted to know what it looks like on the inside! Glad to see that the exploration was done safely and that you were able to detail your findings and locations from down there! Next time you're at that shaft, give us a shout for a cuppa!
Cheers Charlie. It’s a bit of an ongoing battle there with the council who often weld the bars back in. For a long time we had bars which bolt in which was the best option (kids don’t tend to carry spanner’s around to gain access) but I can see why they do seal it up as it’s a big dangerous hole. It’s a shame they can’t fit a nice hatch with a combination lock or similar for those suitably qualified/experienced.
I used to live in Lanner and walked our pooch over to Tresavean. The mill building had been completely colonised by orchids and they grew in all the runnels and launders. It would be nice to know it it is still the same. I worked for RTZ for a while and have a plan and section showing all the workings from Wheal Jane to Tresavean, which I think was the intended destination for exploration drives from Jane which RTZ were exploring in the early '80s
You boys are the real life famous five love this sort of thing. It's making me want to get my rope access stuff out. Got it all but haven't got the minerals for it 😕 lol. Good work on the safety line 👏. There's a shaft I found once as a child in Derbyshire its hell an all deep takes ages for a stone to hit bottom. I've always wanted to see what's at bottom and where it goes it intreagues me. Great video
Cheers Mike. It’s hard getting a balance of story, good visuals and not going too long. Most mine videos I have watched are often too long. I try to trim mine down as much as I possibly can 😬
WOW this is awesome you two are do daring the drpth of that mine made me giddy & it looked so dangerous, have you no fear? 😱 excellent video im now subscribed. Keep safe. ❤😊
South Crofty is actually the deepest point in Cornwall with the bottom of the decline at aprox 500 fm the collar of Williams shaft being higher up the hill. But it's great to see down this mine. Say hi to vinnie for me. Cheers
Well when a lot of them closed it was not a good time for mining, metal prices were down so there were no other local mines looking to expand that would be interesting in buying it. Also it’s only really been in real overly recent years that scrap metal has been valuable. Even back to the 90s most people just disposed of scrap metal which ever way convenient rather than taking it to be recycled and for mines this usually just meant leaving it in place. If you think of the labour cost- man hours and effort of getting the rail track and carts out it was probably just as cost effective to buy new if that was required elsewhere. Especially deeper down in the mines and further away from the access shafts. You can bet that all these mines are still full of metal artefacts deep down below the water table which will probably never be seen again but then the way things are going who knows! They are regularly talking about de watering Crofty and re working it.
Thanks for taking us along to places we'll otherwise never experience, places that are inspirational in helping people appreciate the history, lives and struggles of previous generations. Nevertheless, you are clearly bonkers. Have you nothing better to do, like competitive pasty eating?
This is amazing.. do you guys think your the 1st ones down there in years or judging by the cuts already in the fencing others would have braved the decent??
@@BenoCam I'm from Hampshire although I lived in st anns Chapel Cornwall for 5 ish years, there was a track that led out to an old mining area at Hingston.. I knew nothing about the cornish mines at the time and was just exploring on my own.. I was intrigued by these pockets of area with a little fence round a hole so I climbed over to take a look.. I saw a hole descending way into the ground so I picked up a stone and dropped it in.. when I heard how long it took to reach the bottom it made me go all dizzy knowing I was 2 foot away from certain death so I hopped out pretty quick 😄
Cornwall has a growing population of mine police and older “armchair explorers” who claim to be mine explorers but actually they dont leave the house they just explore them on the internet 🤣 oh and lot of people who are jealous that we get quite a few views.
Glad you didn’t take the ladies along on that one. What with all the strong language 😂. 230,000 tons of copper, Crikey, what would that be worth today. Great film.
Believe it or not it can be really difficult trying to get some good mining footage without there being any bad language. Very often there’s just too many in there to try and edit out 🤣
@@BenoCam Saline intrusions can go a surprising distance inland. I wouldn't recommend tasting it but might be worth testing a sample of it if you ever go back there. An electrician's resistance tester will easily show the difference between fresh and salty water. If you do any more it would be interesting to know the dip and azimuth of the veins, a compass - clinometer will suffice. Great videos, and with informed commentaries too - thanks!
40 microsieverts/h is technically a fair bit (about 100x the high end of normal background) and in a mine you shouldn't (ordinarily) have any background at all because you won't be getting cosmic radiation etc. It's not like you're dealing with "proper" radioactive elements either though, most likely would be radon (radon levels even on the surface are some of the highest in the country in Cornwall, especially in Bodmin Moor, Dartmoor and everything south-west of Truro) and radon daughters like lead 210 - which is actually a huge part of why operating (modern at least) mines pay a lot of attention to ventilation.
there are examples of wolframite and pitchblende from various sites, this as well as lead galena and the radon from the granite. i believe natural background radiation is higher in Cornwall than anywhere else in Europe, nearly 8msv per year, enough to make cosmic radiation statistically insignificant. the Cornish miners were ahead of the trend when it came to ventilation, that's what all the freestanding stacks you might see here are for, often mistaken for chimneys, they are to create a passive draught by faster wind at the higher altitude creating a venturi and pulling old air out of the mine, creating an inward draught from ground level shafts and portals. there is no radon or heightened background radiation on the end of the Lizard peninsula due to it's differing geology, consisting almost entirely of serpentite and devonian sandstone (yellow elvan), there is, however, a notable presence of exposed asbestos.
This looks like fun, he clearly knew what he was doing he wasn’t being stupid, if I wasn’t so claustrophobic I would have happily went down there with them given the chance
nothing. we haven't had a mine explorer die or even go missing underground in Cornwall for my whole living memory. the people who do not know what they are doing rightfully stay well away. one walker unsuspectedly fell down an open shaft in 2017 and fell 100 feet, he survived with a few broken bones, they will teach him to heed the warnings... stick to the paths!
I have worked underground for many years in Western Australia, I love it when we break into old workings, the timbers, the pigsty's, the old ladderways, such skill. The thing I'm really proud of is that my birth certificate says Fairview Terrace Tresavean Lan er Cornwall, and I'm still down a bloody hole on the other side of the world.
Keep the videos coming guys, but stay safe. Timberman Dan.
Ha Cheers Dan that’s awesome. Lots of good mines in Lanner ! Will try and get down some more when I have a chance. Thanks for watching, stay safe. Ben
Hi guys. Thanks for the reply, you really put it out there. Reliving my 26 yrs mining and mine rescue days as a cousin jack now retired in canada.
Holy cow! This is so dangerous! I love it! Thank you for the great, EXHILARATING, footage my brothers! You guys are awesome
Haha plenty more videos for you to watch on my channel 🙂
Wow, that’s an impressive mine, glad you can’t get to the bottom, imagine trying to climb back up! My heart was in my throat watching you cross that ledge.
It’s not a very long drop down if that makes you feel any better 🤣
460 fathoms is a long way down :o)
this is a fantastic video it's fantastic to see the underground workings most of us will not see there ever
Well I have dangled on ropes with big drops below, abseiled, and done other silly things but always above gerund and there is absolutely no way you would get me down that hole! While watching you guys I even had that feeling I used to get when I looked down from an exposed place, sort of falling feeling. Take care and all the best.
🤣👍👍
Hi guys. I worked botalick in 1984 and the head frame was erected in sight of the old ark royal aircraft carrier on her way to scrap yard. The project stopped when after putting the faraday gantry in the shaft we found the collar was so under cut or bottle necked that it was impossible to pour a new shaft collar the company i worked for was called thyssen mining.
Great seeing you. Barry
Ha Cheers Barry that’s awesome, glad you enjoyed. Plenty more mine exploring videos on my channel
Oh guys! I've spent a lot of long family holidays many years ago in Cornwall and loved seeing abandoned mines, every one we passed, my Dad had to stop for us to examine it. Got to go in a 'museum' mine once (Geevor) and it was one the best times I ever had. Your videos are beyond exciting but I must admit I sometimes have to watch through my hands! Thanks for sharing, have fun and please be safe.
My favourite part of this exploration 4:56 a proper British reaction 😂😂 plus I love how you bleeped that one out but not the others a few seconds later 🤣
If I'd of been there I would of said same thing only difference. Instead of climbing it I'd of said fook that 😆
You are so brave!! That is one dark scary mine
Incredible to watch, and so exciting! I grew up and live in one of the houses closest to the shaft you climbed down, and have always wanted to know what it looks like on the inside! Glad to see that the exploration was done safely and that you were able to detail your findings and locations from down there!
Next time you're at that shaft, give us a shout for a cuppa!
Cheers Charlie. It’s a bit of an ongoing battle there with the council who often weld the bars back in. For a long time we had bars which bolt in which was the best option (kids don’t tend to carry spanner’s around to gain access) but I can see why they do seal it up as it’s a big dangerous hole. It’s a shame they can’t fit a nice hatch with a combination lock or similar for those suitably qualified/experienced.
@@BenoCam is there no such thing as a proper mining exploration group? Of all counties...
Well, if you ever want an eager trainee...!?
I used to live in Lanner and walked our pooch over to Tresavean. The mill building had been completely colonised by orchids and they grew in all the runnels and launders. It would be nice to know it it is still the same. I worked for RTZ for a while and have a plan and section showing all the workings from Wheal Jane to Tresavean, which I think was the intended destination for exploration drives from Jane which RTZ were exploring in the early '80s
Its staggering the amount of workings below water, must have been a huge place when it was drained.
I was thinking it would be nice to come down with you, then realised I'd be crapping myself round most of it!
Wayne Sarah Burns I’ve done a bit of srt, but still crap myself every time.
We are on the south side of Carn Brea and not long had a engine shaft capped in the garden. Would be cool to know what's under our feet! Lol
@@waynesarahburns3871 Yes, could be a large mine with loads of historic features under there.
You boys are the real life famous five love this sort of thing. It's making me want to get my rope access stuff out. Got it all but haven't got the minerals for it 😕 lol. Good work on the safety line 👏. There's a shaft I found once as a child in Derbyshire its hell an all deep takes ages for a stone to hit bottom. I've always wanted to see what's at bottom and where it goes it intreagues me. Great video
My papa used to work in that mine. He would walk from kehelland to tresavean do his shift and then walk home.
Quite a walk after a long hard day !! 😬
Stumbled on this, what a bl**dy brilliant video! You lucky people living in Cornwall
Haha thank you Tom
Well done! I've watched every mine channel and I like your work better than most. New subscriber!
Cheers Mike. It’s hard getting a balance of story, good visuals and not going too long. Most mine videos I have watched are often too long. I try to trim mine down as much as I possibly can 😬
Really good video, thanks for recording the adventures
Awesome. Nice video. I picked a lock last mine I went into. But usually someone cuts the bars first .
Nice video. Informative with a bit of humor. Very nice.
WOW this is awesome you two are do daring the drpth of that mine made me giddy & it looked so dangerous, have you no fear? 😱 excellent video im now subscribed. Keep safe. ❤😊
Cheers Carol 👍
Absolutely fascinating guys. Thank you.
Eu Não Sabia Que Existia Um Ser Humano Com Tanta CORAGEM.
Your comment about Dolcoath’s depth prompted me to look it up. A direct vertical shaft 3,000’ deep. Felt ill
“Some access “ aka a bar that was cut off
Thank you so much for an absolute amazing video, you guys I guess are very skilled with ropes..... or complete nuts! Lol
Thank you again.
Haha thanks . More on the way ! 🙂
South Crofty is actually the deepest point in Cornwall with the bottom of the decline at aprox 500 fm the collar of Williams shaft being higher up the hill. But it's great to see down this mine. Say hi to vinnie for me. Cheers
Ah I think maybe I misread it and Tresavean was the second deepest at the time of operating !
It probably was, it may also have the second deepest shaft but not sure. Enjoy your exploring
More guts than Ive got, bloody hell !.
How long does it take to go back up the shaft? It looks very slow and awkward.
Tony Fisher not that long, maybe 10 minutes? 15 mins tops
@@BenoCam thats a solid workout
Ø
It’s tony!
Y’all have bollocks the size of watermelons 🤜🤛
Great video, could you see the water level in the Shaft below you?
Not in the one we dropped. It’s had a big collapse about 50m below where we came off at the level .
A great place for a remake. Of "Killer Mine" by Hamond Innis, one of you could pass for mad Captain Maddock.
Hello question when the mines were closed why did the miners not remove the rails mine cars etc.
Dave.
Well when a lot of them closed it was not a good time for mining, metal prices were down so there were no other local mines looking to expand that would be interesting in buying it.
Also it’s only really been in real overly recent years that scrap metal has been valuable. Even back to the 90s most people just disposed of scrap metal which ever way convenient rather than taking it to be recycled and for mines this usually just meant leaving it in place. If you think of the labour cost- man hours and effort of getting the rail track and carts out it was probably just as cost effective to buy new if that was required elsewhere. Especially deeper down in the mines and further away from the access shafts.
You can bet that all these mines are still full of metal artefacts deep down below the water table which will probably never be seen again but then the way things are going who knows!
They are regularly talking about de watering Crofty and re working it.
Great video. Does the gieger counter read Alpha radiation? If not that might be why you don't get a reading
Thanks for taking us along to places we'll otherwise never experience, places that are inspirational in helping people appreciate the history, lives and struggles of previous generations. Nevertheless, you are clearly bonkers. Have you nothing better to do, like competitive pasty eating?
Haha thank you glad you enjoyed
This is amazing.. do you guys think your the 1st ones down there in years or judging by the cuts already in the fencing others would have braved the decent??
Well I do know who cut it 🤣 so we weren’t the first but we were the first to film it. And I believe the council have welded it up again now ☹️
@@BenoCam I'm from Hampshire although I lived in st anns Chapel Cornwall for 5 ish years, there was a track that led out to an old mining area at Hingston.. I knew nothing about the cornish mines at the time and was just exploring on my own.. I was intrigued by these pockets of area with a little fence round a hole so I climbed over to take a look.. I saw a hole descending way into the ground so I picked up a stone and dropped it in.. when I heard how long it took to reach the bottom it made me go all dizzy knowing I was 2 foot away from certain death so I hopped out pretty quick 😄
10 dislikes on this video?? Must be landowners or mine police 🙄😂
Brilliant mine👍
Cornwall has a growing population of mine police and older “armchair explorers” who claim to be mine explorers but actually they dont leave the house they just explore them on the internet 🤣 oh and lot of people who are jealous that we get quite a few views.
@@BenoCam they sound like a bunch of tusses to me, expecialy the mine police
Glad you didn’t take the ladies along on that one. What with all the strong language 😂. 230,000 tons of copper, Crikey, what would that be worth today. Great film.
Believe it or not it can be really difficult trying to get some good mining footage without there being any bad language. Very often there’s just too many in there to try and edit out 🤣
@@BenoCam I read an academic study that proclaimed bad language was a sign of intelligence. On that basis Im a genius-
2658 feet
443 fathoms
nearly 800 metre, for the French in the audience.
@@gramursowanfaborden5820 for the French and 96% of the other countries on earth ;-)
Is that water at 4:16 seawater?
No I wouldn’t have thought so. Too far inland for that. It’s just groundwater (fresh)
@@BenoCam Saline intrusions can go a surprising distance inland. I wouldn't recommend tasting it but might be worth testing a sample of it if you ever go back there. An electrician's resistance tester will easily show the difference between fresh and salty water. If you do any more it would be interesting to know the dip and azimuth of the veins, a compass - clinometer will suffice. Great videos, and with informed commentaries too - thanks!
40 microsieverts/h is technically a fair bit (about 100x the high end of normal background) and in a mine you shouldn't (ordinarily) have any background at all because you won't be getting cosmic radiation etc. It's not like you're dealing with "proper" radioactive elements either though, most likely would be radon (radon levels even on the surface are some of the highest in the country in Cornwall, especially in Bodmin Moor, Dartmoor and everything south-west of Truro) and radon daughters like lead 210 - which is actually a huge part of why operating (modern at least) mines pay a lot of attention to ventilation.
there are examples of wolframite and pitchblende from various sites, this as well as lead galena and the radon from the granite. i believe natural background radiation is higher in Cornwall than anywhere else in Europe, nearly 8msv per year, enough to make cosmic radiation statistically insignificant. the Cornish miners were ahead of the trend when it came to ventilation, that's what all the freestanding stacks you might see here are for, often mistaken for chimneys, they are to create a passive draught by faster wind at the higher altitude creating a venturi and pulling old air out of the mine, creating an inward draught from ground level shafts and portals. there is no radon or heightened background radiation on the end of the Lizard peninsula due to it's differing geology, consisting almost entirely of serpentite and devonian sandstone (yellow elvan), there is, however, a notable presence of exposed asbestos.
Interesting thank you
Do you have someone at the surface by the entrance while you're underground?
Philip Squire try to but not always. Depends where we are though. Anywhere near public footpaths then yes !
Hey what was all that fungus on the walls at the beginning?
Ooo I don’t actually know I will try to find out !
At 3:59 I said "no no no no no no no nope nope nope no no no no" 😳
And he laughed about it.sooo much nope
i would have taken some of that blue copper rock
You wouldn’t have got far with it... it’s more like a paste... it quickly falls to bits when you touch it. Much like a cave formed stalagmite etc
@@BenoCam ohh i didn't know it was a paste thank you for letting me know
I live in Cornwall:000
The days of blasting Pendulum as background music must be over :(
Haha people seem to prefer the voice overs with talking but I can see a nice music one coming along sometime soon 🙂
Excellent video come india my friend 👑
Sketchy.
Tf is a phathom
You what ?
Nope diddly nope nope nope.
Claustrophobic anyone?
What is wrong with people?
Wrong with who ?!
This looks like fun, he clearly knew what he was doing he wasn’t being stupid, if I wasn’t so claustrophobic I would have happily went down there with them given the chance
nothing. we haven't had a mine explorer die or even go missing underground in Cornwall for my whole living memory. the people who do not know what they are doing rightfully stay well away. one walker unsuspectedly fell down an open shaft in 2017 and fell 100 feet, he survived with a few broken bones, they will teach him to heed the warnings... stick to the paths!