old mine is now mapped and recorded :)

[MJB]

fantastic Dean...never get tired of looking at these pics

 

[Richpickings]

Wow great pics. Those old timers sure did the hard yards for their share of yellow.

Thanks for the glimpse into the past of gold mining Dean. Much appreciated.

Ed.

 

[dean65]

Here is a mine I'd been unable to locate until today. Turned out to be full of bugs. This has been a big problem this year. Hopefully, with the onset of cooler weather the problem will cease.

 

[casper]

This was my West Gippsland adventure last week. The country that the adit is cut through is not rock but soft chalky / clayey material. I think (?) it's what the old timers called "pug" - could be wrong on this though. Found 2 narrow reefs interesecting the adit about 300 feet in but no visible gold. The main reef did originaly outcrop on the surface and values were reported as 10oz / ton The reef was lost at a fault slide and this adit was an attempt to relocate the reef.

casper

adit

mullock dump

inside the entrance

100 paces in looking back to the entrance

150 paces in reef in adit wall

 

[dean65]

Hi Casper, Thanks for sharing. That mine is worth a visit.

 

[MJB]

Did you sample that reef Casper? great pics

 

[casper]

Did you sample that reef Casper? great pics

nah.... i collected a few quartz chips hoping to snag a speci but no joy. I will go back though to further explore although it seems that the attempt to relocate the reef was either not successful or not ecconomical and the mine was soon abandoned because the old mine inspectors reports end abruptly after only 3 years.

I've been aware of this mine since is was 16 years old and now only days from my 61st birthday i have managed to find and see inside it - absolutely fascinating

casper

 

[Jaros]

You won't get me into one of those holes in the ground, not even when i die(know what i mean). You're still a youngster Casper, next month i turn 65-a legit freeloader.
Jaros

 

[dean65]

Cradled between ancient volcanic hilltops this mine in Creswick preserves the legacy of the gold rushes.

 

[Hunting the yellow]

damo ya need a rope protector with solid rock a old blanket will do to protect your rope from the sharp edge m8 and what happened to your eye ? how deep did that one go ?

 

[silver]

Nice hole in the ground.

 

[stoyve]

Awesome post Dean and go hard Damp
Cheers Steve

 

[casper]

Hi Casper, Thanks for sharing. That mine is worth a visit.

thanks dean- I'm going back when I'm better equipped ie some proper illumination, a candle and canary

casper

 

[dean65]

Managed to find some interesting mines today to the east of Daylesford. The one below seemed to go for ages. Was on my own so I did not venture very far inside.

 

[stoyve]

Gday Dean, nice find once again mate.
Your on fire

 

[MJB]

looks like you went far enough Dean...nice pics. I love seeing the old timber work in these old mines

 

[dean65]

We found this shaft yesterday that extends upwards from a drive. One side of the shaft seems to be backfilled. What is going on? This extract from https://www.minewiki.org may explain:

"Shrinkage stoping is a mining method used for steeply dipping, narrower ore bodies with self supporting walls and ore. It is an overhand mining method that relies on broken ore being left in the stope to be used as the working floor and to support the walls. During the mining cycle, only 30 35% of the ore blasted is extracted being equivalent to the swell factor of in-situ ore to broken. When mining is complete to the next upper horizon, the ore is extracted. Although it is not necessary to fill the resulting voids, they are commonly filled with waste rock from development. Level intervals seldom exceed 40 meters due to uneven muck draw. Recoverable pillars are left at each level. Shrinkage stopes do not necessarily have to be backfilled unless the pillars will remain or there are stability issues that require backfill. When the stopes are remote from waste passes, they are sometimes used to store development waste."

 

[Next1m8]

Hi Dean65 & Hunting The Yellow, I'm hoping you fellas may let me join you guys for an adventure one time? I'm new to this forum as in I just registered but have been following the post for a few days. I'm a keen prospector still new in the ropes but am always enthusiastic and not afraid of a little hard work, Ps love the pictures guys

 

[dean65]

If you are planning to explore old mines it is best to do so accompanied by people that have previous experience and know what they are doing. You need to be aware of all the dangers.

 

[Next1m8]

Understood, I'm hoping that either yourself or HTY may possibly let me tag along for an adventure one time? I'm a keen listener and will always take safety as no1