Archive for the 'Slate quarrying methodologies' Category...
Filed under Slate geology, Slate mining history, Slate quarrying methodologies
Honister is a unique award winning experience and England’s last remaining working slate mine.
Located at the head of the Honister Pass in the centre of the Lake District, this mine produces the world famous Westmorland Green slate – a beautiful, functional material that has been extracted here for centuries. This slate is 400 million years old!
Within the visitor centre, you’ll find a wealth of activities, attractions and information. Guided underground tours can also be arranged. They have live displays of traditional slate processing skills which provide a fascinating insight into the region’s industrial heritage.
Honister is owned by a local family and is a supporter of the Lake District community, economy and the environment. To visit their website, click on the image below:
Filed under Slate geology, Slate mining history, Slate photo of the week, Slate quarrying methodologies
A single slate wagon axle, showing the double flange and floating wheels that allowed wagons to negotiate uneven track.
Photo & words by kind permission of simonrl of www.aditnow.co.uk
Filed under Slate geology, Slate photo of the week, Slate quarrying methodologies
I was recently sent this stunning photo of a slate open quarry in China. The image has not been rotated! Look at the workers who are standing – they are vertical!
This photo dramatically shows the angle of dipping of the slate vein, dictating this particular method of extraction.
Open quarries follow the vein on the slope of the mountain and use this gallery mining system. It is not at all uncommon to find examples of more than one method of extraction within the same quarry. Click here for a previous post which explains these methodologies in more detail.
Filed under Slate geology, Slate mining history, Slate processing techniques, Slate quarrying methodologies
Mining has given rise to potentially hundreds of terms for processes, techniques and equipment. Many of these terms vary by region or were specific to the type of mine.
Click here for a comprehensive dictionary of mining terms from AditNow.
Link and words by kind permission of simonrl of www.aditnow.co.uk
Filed under Slate quarrying methodologies
Slate is found in veins between other types of rock and the angle of dipping of the vein decides the method of extraction.
There are three basic types of slate quarry - underground, open and pit. In underground workings, tunnels are drilled to intercept the vein and then enlarged to remove the slate - pillars being left to hold up the roof. Open quarries follow the vein on the slope of the mountain and often use a system of galleries up to 70 feet high, the greatest exponent of this type of quarrying being Penrhyn at Bethesda. Pit workings are necessary where the vein dips almost vertically and are most common around Nantlle. It was not uncommon to find examples of more than one method of extraction in the same quarry.
Words and photo by kind permission of Dave Sallery. For more information from his tremendous website, please click here.
