old mine is now mapped and recorded :)

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PVC pipe is a drill casing. We had these all over Wollumla when it was drilled for further prospects.
Pallets are most likely for shoring while drilling was going on. But rather unusual for 1 shaft.
Also concrete as a precursor. ???
And "Paving" leading up to the drive.
A lot of questions if you are interested in history need to be answered here.
Have Fun. LOL
 
Looks all reasonably modern to me, black poly pipe, probably for dewatering, orange electrical conduit with exposed cabling - lighting/water pumps/electric windlass? Must have been a good reason to go back down there from when it was first driven (whenever that was).
 
Goldtarget said:
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/2152/1403182767_img_20140619_224611.jpg

This innocent looking hole is the mouth to a 140 ft deep angled drive. When i was younger you could get to the bottom before the straight drop off, in modern times the abattoirs used this to dump some of the unusable material, probably illegally. Probably a lost mine now, tricky traverse, ceiling to floor height only 4 1/2 feet.

https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/2152/1403183144_img_20140619_224751.jpg
This is just to the west, another shaft but much less width doubled as a ventilation shaft for the adjacent one, estimated depth 66 feet.

Just an example how keeping an eye out is probably a good idea. A decade ago there were signs and quite obv openings (no fencing) i think back now to traversing these as a test of courage, hate to think what would have happened in a cave in.
Click to expand...
now this one i would be interested in going down :) :eek:
 
 
Hello everyone,
I know this mine site and what was mined their.
It was a mine for Kalan or Calan, which is a very fine type of clay
used to make fine China, ie: cups, teapots and so on.
The mine was in use as late as the 1970s I believe but
was not competitive enough on the world market.
I went there about 8 months ago in the hope of exploring the
tunnel system as I know it had around nine levels,
but as the pics show , there is no entry anymore.
I love exploring the old systems and that one was looking
pretty exciting but proved a dud.
Hope that helps all.
Ps : Lal Lal area was mined for all sorts of minerals and clay
including gold, iron and the above mentioned Kaman.
Cheers stoyve :)
 
The deposits at Pittong and Lal Lal are residual kaolin deposits produced by weathering of granites. Brown coal and kaolin clay discovered at Lal Lal in 1858. The kaolin clay was sent to England for use in fine china.
 
Hi Stoyve, do you happen to know where this mine is ? It is near to the Kaolin mine at Lal Lal but I've not been lucky enough to score the location. Any help would be appreciated.













 
Here is a view of the shaft taken from before the mine was closed.



Stielow Enterprises Everest Minerals mining operations, were during the 1980s and 1990s.
Located a few kilometers South East of Lal Lal Victoria Australia, in the bush high in the hills.
The material extracted was one of the highest grade Kaolins found.
Mining followed a seam of pure white Kaolin through a fissure in between two walls of hard slate.
Minor gold traces were found during sampling of small reefs that were penetrated.
 
This is an area at Blackwood where the tunnel is now very difficult to enter. The exit is very close.







 
Gday dean65,
The photo of the old fireplace is at the top of a ridge/saddle,
In the view shown in the photo there is a track winding down on right
side of the fireplacel into the valley .
If you go down that track about 40 metres, go off the track down
a steep slope and you will find a pretty good tunnel.
If I remember correctly, there maybe a shaft in there so be careful.
The photo with the 1928 date looks like a tunnel my mate's and I
had too dig open the entrance last spring, it goes for hundreds
of metres and is almost straight.
There are dates and names of hundreds of people in there
starting from the late 1850s right through to the 1960s.
In answer to your question about the mines in the photo,
I haven't seen those ones but I've been in about 8 or 9 in Lal Lal.
My favorite play ground is in Enfield.
Lots of fun .
Cheers Stoyve :)
 
Thanks for this. Is the saddle located to the south of the blast furnace area ?
 
Yes mate,
South east of the blast furnace.
Also, from the blast furnace carpark, the road
winds down the hill and if you take the 2nd track on the left
which is located on a bend you will get to the Moorabool river.
There is a rock tunnel across to the right near the river
and if you head up river about 500 metres there is an
interesting tunnel on a very steep slope on the right.
Be careful climbing up there as its very slippery.
Cheers Stoyve :)
 
Hi Stoyve, Thanks for the directions. It seems I went south-west instead of south-east and ended up on Chalkmine Road. In the picture you can see the westerly path off Ironmine path that I took. The road winding down the hill must be the continuation of Ironmine Road ? Non of this seems to be marked on maps. Will explore the 2nd track when I get time on Monday. The old fireplace should be on the way to the 2nd track ? Cheers Dean.

 
Managed to get back to Lal Lal today. Sadly, it started raining shortly after I arrived so it was I unable to take many photos. Made my way down to the Moorabool river taking the 2nd track on the left. The steep slope seems to be south of the dam. It was just too wet to scramble up there. As it was I was completely soaked. Still have not found the old fireplace and I assume it must be further south off Iron Mine Road.

 
Gday Dean65
I live in Ballarat and know of heaps of tunnels
in the region.
We may have to link up so I can show you some.
Cheers Stoyve
 
Hi Stoyve, that would be great and I'm also in Ballarat, but have limited knowledge of local tunnels. Dean.

 
stoyve said:
Gday Dean65
I live in Ballarat and know of heaps of tunnels
in the region.
We may have to link up so I can show you some.
Cheers Stoyve
Click to expand...
hey i am in ballarat and know a few mines that would like to check out if you keen
 
Sounds like plan guys,
I'm out of town at the moment but would be available in the
next few weeks.
We can catch up then.
Cheers Stoyve
 
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