Minllyn - Page 2

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[Pic 4] Minllyn Quarry - Chamber roof opening (1989)

The workings underground are quite extensive - more so than appears from the surface - but the layout of chambers is somewhat confusing, and was obviously mined with little forethought to future excavations during its working life - especially as more than a few vital chamber pillars were robbed* as the owners obviously needed the good slate from these at some stage. Some sections are now flooded and there is rockfall in a lot of chambers - some parts being extremely dangerous.

* This was common practice in struggling quarries where the good slate was no longer profitable or had run out.

[Pic 5] Minllyn Quarry - Flooded adit with rubbish wagon in situ (1995)

Above the Upper mill level are two open workings, each running down into pits containing adits into the underground workings - one such adit is seen in Pic 5 above - the main adit itself being located in the lower of the two pits. None of these adits are in any healthy state and it is assumed that the main adit was abandoned towards the end of the quarries life in favour of those into the workings below Upper mill level.

[Pic 6] Minllyn Quarry - Upper mill level: Main tunnel through to pit and main adit (1995)

Entrance to the lower of the two open workings was via a short tunnel (lined with stone) which partly ran through rock and partly through waste - obviously this tunnel was extended in length as the tips above expanded over it. An older similar tunnel is located slightly above (see Pic 6) and also on the right of these was a short (but long abandoned) incline coming down.

[Pic 7] Minllyn Quarry - Closer view of main tunnel showing stone lining (1989)

As can be seen the (above) tunnel is unusually ornate for such a remote small quarry - normally stonework like this is the preserve of the big quarries, and even then is rare in tunnels. As previously mentioned this tunnel connected with a pit (and then onto the main adit) but this is in poor condition with a fair amount of rockfall having taken place over the years.

(Continued on Page 3)