South Crofty Mine Old Workings, this and the following pages will cover some of the older parts of South Crofty I visited. I was lucky enough to be taken to several areas that were off limits to normal visitors. On some of my trips with time so short I hardly had the chance to get the cameras out as we were moving so fast.
These are brand new images (Jan 2020) I have reprinted everything I possible could. Please enjoy.
Between 1993 and 1998 South Crofty Mine worked stopes between the 260 fathom level and the 445 fathom level. The main working levels were 400, 420 and 445, with their respective sublevels on a number of lodes.
Some work was carried out below 260 fm (Tincroft South Lode), on and below 290 fm (Pryce’s Lode, Dolcoath South Lode), 315 fm (Dolcoath South Lode), 340 fm (Dolcoath South Lode, Prospect A Lode and NPZ (335 fm in Robinson’s section)), 360 fm (No:8 Lode, Pegmatite Zone, NPZ, Dolcoath North Lode) and 380 fm (No:4 Lode, NPZ).
However, the lower levels were the main focus of production. Below 400 fm, the main production lodes were the Roskear A, B (hanging wall) and D Lodes, No:4 Lode, No:8 Lode and Providence Lode. Notes by Dr Nick Le Boutillier.
Trips to the older workings were rare, because after all the guys were there to work, not show me around. Consequently whenever the chance to get to the old sections occurred, I would grab it.
One of the disused levels we visited often was the 260 Fathom. This was a very interesting place with connections to the old East Pool workings. These old workings were incorporated into South Crofty during the 1970’s.
This level also contained the amazing Tolgus Tunnel. Because of high Radon Levels this was a restricted area, I was lucky to see it three times.
The following set of images were taken on the 260 Fathom level Wet Lode of East Pool Mine. Now this really was like walking through history. Long abandoned workings, so wet and hot and a long way from the working levels. Nick used to love visiting this level because of the history it contained.
The 260 Fathom level had many pieces of history dotted around. Certainly one of the most amazing was the “Bridge over the Stope”. This was built during 1978, by Albert Rowe and Freddie Wills, to replace an earlier bridge. Located on New North Lode 260 Fathom South Crofty Mine East Pool section. The East Pool miners had a reputation for bridge building, sadly this was the only one I saw.
A great shame that I could not get more images. I would have so loved the chance to wander and explore. As usual I was with people who had to work for a living so I could not hold them up.