THE UNEXMIN PROJECT
For almost the whole of May 2019, Ecton Mine was the site of a remarkable exploration venture, when the European Horizon2020 UNEXMIN project carried out its fourth set of pilot tests. Two submersible robots were used, to explore the depths of the mine, beyond the safe range of any human divers.
A series of ten dives were carried out, in the Great Shaft (the main pumping shaft), the winding shaft, and the pipe workings. These were successfully linked at depth, and a number of further mine openings – cross-cuts and mineralised areas – were identified. Previous records (from plumb-line data) that the two shafts are blocked at 123m and 112m depth were confirmed. A huge chamber was discovered in the upper part of the pipe working, and mapped in three dimensions by sonar. Access was gained to deeper pipe workings but there was insufficient time to carry out detailed exploration of this area of the mine.
Archaeological discoveries are described in a summary report by John Barnatt.
Geological structure and mineralisation are yet to be studied in detail, but it has already been determined that fold styles and lithologies are similar to those seen at the surface at Apes Tor and in upper parts of the mine.
The full report on geoscientific and archaeological interpretation can be downloaded from here. It includes detailed Annexes by John Barnatt and Richard Shaw.
The final UNEXMIN project video from Ecton can be viewed here …
Peter has nearly 50 years experience mostly at the sharp end of the minerals industry. He is a metallurgist who started in the steel industry prior to his degree at Cambridge University. He held senior positions with Anglo American on the Zambian Copperbelt, and at Glebe Mines fluorspar operation in the Derbyshire Peak District; and has been an independent freelance since 2000. He has had connections with Ecton Mine and Geoff Cox since the mid-1980s. He is Secretary of The British Aggregates Association, a member of the CBI Minerals Group and the UK National Minerals Forum; and has various business interests in the industrial minerals industry in the UK, Europe and globally; and is also a Director of MAUK (Mining Association of the UK) and Amemptos Music.
I am an exploration and mining geologist (C. Geol) with over 25 years of experience in the deep geological disposal of radioactive waste and 7 years of experience of exploration, environmental impact assessment and mining feasibility for the Kayelekera uranium deposit in Northern Malawi, Africa. I retired from the British Geological Survey in 2016 and am currently a member of the Government’s Committee on Radioactive Waste Disposal. I undertook a PhD on caves and mines in the Peak District and, as an active caver and mine explorer, have been studying the underground world of the Peak District since the mid 1970’s, including the mines of the Ecton Area. I am a director (editor) of the Peak District Mines Historical Society and the mine manager of their Temple Mine in Matlock Bath.
mongst geologists and others involved in the application of geoscience, particularly through the promotion of professional titles such as CEng, CGeol, and EurGeol. She has served on the Council of the Geological Society of London and is a past President of the European Federation of Geologists. For many years, she has been a member of the Pan European Reserves and Resources Reporting Committee (PERC).
Phil in Organic Chemistry, Nottingham Uni 1977-79, awarded 1981
I am a geoscientist with more than 45 years of experience. After working as a mine geologist in the Yorkshire Coalfield for 12 years, I moved on to seismic exploration for coal, potash and other minerals focussing on seismic interpretation and delineating geological structure to aid mine planning. My prospect experience includes projects in UK, Spain, Turkey, Australia, Africa, Argentina and Canada.
ng and engineering around the world. Although I am now retired I continue to hold Board appointments with national and international regulatory and standards organisations which I find professionally stimulating and thoroughly rewarding.