Imagine the hard work the men and young boys went through and the conditions in which they worked! Very impressive workings. You really get a idea of the vast scale when you see your fellow climbers ahead in the last stope area. Possibly one of my favourite mine exploring videos. Thanks for sharing!
I have visited Minions MANY times. I never imagined the mines up there being so deep and open. I am sure many locals will find this fascinating. Thanks for making and sharing this content.
My ancestors last mine, as it was for many Liskeardians. Prior to the workhouse down Lamelion.....lovely to see. Thanks Ben & Gang. Proper 😉...Hope you left some of your pasty, fair exchange for them frogs.
Thank you for rescuing my brothers and sisters from the bottom 😉 Awesome video! I've passed this mine entry several times but I had no idea it could be there at all. Great job! Good luck for your future trips.
Bloody hell that's a big stope you dropped into. Luckily it's remote or I'd worry about a comedian removing the ropes whilst down there. Naa, I'd have to crawl across that crossing lol. Must be a Cornish thing, I've never found a toad at the bottom of a shaft :o)
Ha cheers it’s quite amazing they seem to survive the fall. Found quite a few now on our adventures ... always bring them up and release a long way away so they don’t fall down again 🤣
@@BenoCam Thank you Ben! I get so many frogs/ toads and hedgehogs in the lane that runs behind my house. And the cars drive so fast down there, many die. Every year I seem to collect them and release them away from the lane. The frogs and toads, I tend to take up and release at the beacon infants school, as they have a couple of wildlife pond/wetland areas created up there. :D
Hi Ben ,ive just subed your channel,all your videos are cool.i have looked at some mines but not explored as you have due to safety,thanks for your work.
I am so delighted to see the inside of this mine. My reasons are personal. My late mother told the story of her grandfather who was a tin miner in cornwall, she never met him as he died in an industrial accident in a weaving shed in Burnley age 52. They were never able to prove the Cornwall connection. My mother was born in Lancashire in the once coal mining town of Burnley. Her grandad left Cornwall for Burnley in search of a better life. So this was all word of mouth and my parents could never find documentary evidence or details. The family name was Mares all the records they had showed them living in Mid Devon Torrington area all farm workers. My research uncovered that my great grandad was brought up by his aunty Grace, she married a copper miner John Sowden and they lived in Pensilva near Caradon Hill, where the United Phenix mine was. I found him in 1871 as a mine labourer aged 14. Subsequent search suggested that he would likely have worked in this mine with his step father. If anyone reading this knows of family connections perhaps mares or Sowden's still living in this area I'd like to know. I can supply more info the family also lived in Tuckers marsh and Bere Alston. If anyone reading this has a family connection you can get in touch on alansaxon205@gmail.com
Went down these workings a lot in the early 80's as part of the East Cornwall Mine rescue team to train in the event someone had an accident underground. Lovely workings and thanks for the memories. Got some great mineral specimens down there if you know where to look!
Fascinating! I did a short video about Phoenix United a few months ago, but stayed above ground. I didn’t realise you could get down there, not that I would have even tried. I don’t have the minerals for that. Excellent video 👍🏼
Haha cheers. I want to get back down there again soon when I get a chance. Also drop that hole with the hanging fence about see if that leads into any workings… must have been a big void underneath to take all that ground !
That is an impressive set of workings! The long shots work very well to show scale, great work. You guys are very lucky to have so many wonderful explores on your doorstep, living in a very excavation free part of the South Coast I have to be content with virtual exploring😢
Brilliant! I thought there is a Phoenix United mine near Plymouth, either part of the same company or maybe even my mistake! What a fantastic explore, well done you guys. I do similar things in the Tamar Valley and Dartmoor but since I go alone, I don't do shafts and ropes! Keep on trucking guys 'n gals!
Stunning video footage, I really enjoyed watching that! I worked on a S7 dive boat and a friend put me onto your vids as I live between Truro and Falmouth. Watched the two wreck ones you've made and then lost myself down the mines for another hour! Thanks.
Ha cheers. It’s easy to get lost in the world of TH-cam ! I would rather do that these days on things I am interested in rather than watch the rubbish they put on telly !🤣
Wow, amazing footage! Thank you! Wondering if you found any tools or things that may have belonged to miners down there? What a wonderfully eerie connection to the past going down into these places must present.
Yeah found tools, hats, boots, empty explosive boxes, packets, fuze material,candles ... most things ! Check out my other mine videos, a few bits in those .
Well well it’s good to see it down there again it’s been a long time. I grew up in Minions and myself & a friend & his sister went down there when we were around 17 years old around 28years ago. I never forgot it. Especially crossing that bridge of earth, I crawled the first time and walked across on the way back. We didnt have digi cameras then and fairly basic touches and equipment. I know where there’s lots of other adits & shafts fairly well hidden. Have fun but stay safe it’s very dangerous down there.
Wow, that mine is huge and that rock bridge... that is one courageous young lady. Liked the point you made about the miners having no power tools and only candles for light and your nature conservation was commendable. Did that mine go deep enough for it to be hot down there?
I can’t remember the depth off the top of my head but it wasn’t that deep so probably not very hot. Tresavean out at Lanner and Dolcoath were a lot deeper and you see old photos of the men in them stripped off in the heat, but were talking 2,3 or 4 times deeper than this place.
I've been visiting south cardamon for years, fascinating mine, any under ground plan for that?, Kittows fell in I know, tried a drone over it, bit windy, adits look sketchy.most impressed by your work,
I think many of them did, and they have collapsed. Most of the ones left in never were doing much, the rock above has often wedged and not putting any weight on the timber.
Missed a great opportunity to expound on the geology and show close ups of the ore bodies. Its a long day though and you dont want to spoil us too much 😊
Yeah plenty of good ore still left in mines. In many of them the grade of ore got better as the depth increased, so a lot shut due to a slump in prices and increase in costs getting it to the surface, rather than running out of ore. The toads fall down the open shaft but it’s amazing they don’t seem to break bones or get hurt. It’s a long drop to solid rock ledge.
Cornwall is built on rock most of which was infused with minerals millions of years ago, and most of it is still down there! Look up South Crofty, which has maybe millions of tons of high-grade tin ore, and has been on the verge of restarting operation for several years now (maybe next year?) Modern mining is much more efficient at extracting the metals: there is even lithium, which nobody needed in the past...
@@rogerfurneaux1529 Thanks for the reply. I somehow missed the much earlier reply from ^this content creator from 3+ years ago. Your reply served as a reminder. Back in 2011, there were people claiming that the Earth was just 5 years away from running out of economically extractable tin. Then, just yesterday, I did some Google searches to see if we in fact had run out of tin in 2015 or 2016 as predicted, but apparently the answer is no..... Now it seems the date for the extinction of tin has been moved back 40 years. That's good news, I guess......
It’s fascinating to be able to view this. Could you give an opinion why these massive openings don’t get populated by bats, birds and other such animals please?
There’s loads of bats down there, in the spring and summer evenings you often see them flying in and out. During winter they hibernate down there so you have to be careful not to disturb them. I don’t think there are any birds that would venture far from the shaft itself. It might be too damp for them. There are no other animals other than flying ones which can access the workings. Every now and then we find dead animals that have fallen down and not survived- badgers/foxes /rabbits. Toads and frogs are the only things so far I have seen be able to survive the fall .
Very interesting video!! But of concern is the apparent lack of safety shown in some areas, in particular the walking along the top of a very narrow ledge with steep drops on both sides. That was a very dangerous procedure by crossing that ledge with no protection at all!? Surely some sort of safety measures could have been done so that in the event of a person slipping or mis-stepping on the ledge, they would not fall (far) down either side of the ledge?
Next time please leave the wildlife alone They’ve found themselves there for a reason. Frogs & toads. By all means go look at our mines, but don’t touch or move the flora or fauna…I’m actually bit annoyed you did that. Please be mindful. These are also Pagan sites.
Are you actually for real ? Leave them down there to starve ? There’s nothing down there for them to eat. These holes are not natural they are man made. There is nothing natural about a frog or toad falling down a mineshaft.
Imagine the hard work the men and young boys went through and the conditions in which they worked! Very impressive workings. You really get a idea of the vast scale when you see your fellow climbers ahead in the last stope area. Possibly one of my favourite mine exploring videos. Thanks for sharing!
Cheers always good to see some positive feedback 👍
Totally agree, imagine our Cornish boys down there, always in darkness.
Kernow Bys Vykken
I have visited Minions MANY times. I never imagined the mines up there being so deep and open. I am sure many locals will find this fascinating. Thanks for making and sharing this content.
My ancestors last mine, as it was for many Liskeardians. Prior to the workhouse down Lamelion.....lovely to see. Thanks Ben & Gang. Proper 😉...Hope you left some of your pasty, fair exchange for them frogs.
Nice that you rescued the toads ... poor little buggers lol 😂
Thank you for rescuing my brothers and sisters from the bottom 😉 Awesome video! I've passed this mine entry several times but I had no idea it could be there at all. Great job! Good luck for your future trips.
They clearly don’t “need saving” just leave them to it. Man always interfering.
@@user-zz2xg4jc6k I'm not sure what they would find to eat down there.
Awesome explore Ben, Cant believe how those men in the past worked in those mines using pick axes & shovels & candlelight, ❤😊
Bloody hell that's a big stope you dropped into. Luckily it's remote or I'd worry about a comedian removing the ropes whilst down there. Naa, I'd have to crawl across that crossing lol. Must be a Cornish thing, I've never found a toad at the bottom of a shaft :o)
You made my day, seeing you rescue those frogs! x
Ha cheers it’s quite amazing they seem to survive the fall. Found quite a few now on our adventures ... always bring them up and release a long way away so they don’t fall down again 🤣
@@BenoCam Thank you Ben! I get so many frogs/ toads and hedgehogs in the lane that runs behind my house. And the cars drive so fast down there, many die. Every year I seem to collect them and release them away from the lane. The frogs and toads, I tend to take up and release at the beacon infants school, as they have a couple of wildlife pond/wetland areas created up there. :D
Hi Ben ,ive just subed your channel,all your videos are cool.i have looked at some mines but not explored as you have due to safety,thanks for your work.
Cheers.🎉 if you want some easy ones maybe look at cligga head Perranporth or wheal uny. Both easy first ones and pretty safe 😮
I am so delighted to see the inside of this mine. My reasons are personal. My late mother told the story of her grandfather who was a tin miner in cornwall, she never met him as he died in an industrial accident in a weaving shed in Burnley age 52. They were never able to prove the Cornwall connection. My mother was born in Lancashire in the once coal mining town of Burnley. Her grandad left Cornwall for Burnley in search of a better life. So this was all word of mouth and my parents could never find documentary evidence or details. The family name was Mares all the records they had showed them living in Mid Devon Torrington area all farm workers. My research uncovered that my great grandad was brought up by his aunty Grace, she married a copper miner John Sowden and they lived in Pensilva near Caradon Hill, where the United Phenix mine was. I found him in 1871 as a mine labourer aged 14. Subsequent search suggested that he would likely have worked in this mine with his step father. If anyone reading this knows of family connections perhaps mares or Sowden's still living in this area I'd like to know. I can supply more info the family also lived in Tuckers marsh and Bere Alston. If anyone reading this has a family connection you can get in touch on alansaxon205@gmail.com
Cheers Alan ! That’s some story ! Glad you enjoyed the video.
Went down these workings a lot in the early 80's as part of the East Cornwall Mine rescue team to train in the event someone had an accident underground. Lovely workings and thanks for the memories. Got some great mineral specimens down there if you know where to look!
Fascinating! I did a short video about Phoenix United a few months ago, but stayed above ground. I didn’t realise you could get down there, not that I would have even tried. I don’t have the minerals for that. Excellent video 👍🏼
Haha cheers. I want to get back down there again soon when I get a chance. Also drop that hole with the hanging fence about see if that leads into any workings… must have been a big void underneath to take all that ground !
Looking forward to any return trips. It’s so interesting to watch. Take care 👍🏼
That is an impressive set of workings! The long shots work very well to show scale, great work. You guys are very lucky to have so many wonderful explores on your doorstep, living in a very excavation free part of the South Coast I have to be content with virtual exploring😢
Cheers, yes we are lucky in Cornwall. Mines everywhere ! Shame most of them are underwater or capped but then there is plenty you can still get in.
Brilliant! I thought there is a Phoenix United mine near Plymouth, either part of the same company or maybe even my mistake! What a fantastic explore, well done you guys. I do similar things in the Tamar Valley and Dartmoor but since I go alone, I don't do shafts and ropes! Keep on trucking guys 'n gals!
Stunning video footage, I really enjoyed watching that! I worked on a S7 dive boat and a friend put me onto your vids as I live between Truro and Falmouth. Watched the two wreck ones you've made and then lost myself down the mines for another hour! Thanks.
Ha cheers. It’s easy to get lost in the world of TH-cam ! I would rather do that these days on things I am interested in rather than watch the rubbish they put on telly !🤣
Brilliant channel, thanks for uploading. Subscribed :D
3:52 hanging wall of death :) love that bit
Fantastic video Ben
Brilliant vid, be good to get out with you some time.
Wow, amazing footage! Thank you! Wondering if you found any tools or things that may have belonged to miners down there? What a wonderfully eerie connection to the past going down into these places must present.
Yeah found tools, hats, boots, empty explosive boxes, packets, fuze material,candles ... most things ! Check out my other mine videos, a few bits in those .
Well well it’s good to see it down there again it’s been a long time. I grew up in Minions and myself & a friend & his sister went down there when we were around 17 years old around 28years ago. I never forgot it. Especially crossing that bridge of earth, I crawled the first time and walked across on the way back. We didnt have digi cameras then and fairly basic touches and equipment. I know where there’s lots of other adits & shafts fairly well hidden. Have fun but stay safe it’s very dangerous down there.
Ha that’s great ! Would be interested to hear if there are any other good trips up there in the area.
Awesome! Back then we instilled our faith in Kendal Mint Cake!
Would that have been John and Anne?
Hi just notice this. My name is Chris I went down there with James and his sister they lived at the post office in Minions.
Been watching a few of your videos went to look at tresavean Saturday amazing
Is it open again, I had heard it was welded!
No trevasean wasn't open just wanted to see the shaft you went down scary stuff
Wow, that mine is huge and that rock bridge... that is one courageous young lady. Liked the point you made about the miners having no power tools and only candles for light and your nature conservation was commendable. Did that mine go deep enough for it to be hot down there?
I can’t remember the depth off the top of my head but it wasn’t that deep so probably not very hot. Tresavean out at Lanner and Dolcoath were a lot deeper and you see old photos of the men in them stripped off in the heat, but were talking 2,3 or 4 times deeper than this place.
I've been visiting south cardamon for years, fascinating mine, any under ground plan for that?, Kittows fell in I know, tried a drone over it, bit windy, adits look sketchy.most impressed
by your work,
wow had no idea they were so deep
awesome
Amazing! I’m a photographer and wish I could photograph and film the mine being explored...but no way I’d be brave enough!
I ❤️tin mines
I can't believe that there are so many uncapped mineshafts
Superb footage Ben.
Quick question, do the wood props actually do anything in terms of support against thousands of tonnes of rock ?
I think many of them did, and they have collapsed. Most of the ones left in never were doing much, the rock above has often wedged and not putting any weight on the timber.
@@BenoCam tks makes sense.....superb to see all your footage....keep it up.
Missed a great opportunity to expound on the geology and show close ups of the ore bodies. Its a long day though and you dont want to spoil us too much 😊
Is there any high grade tin ore left in Cornwall? That's cool that you brought the toads back out of the mine. What are the toads mining for? 🙂
Yeah plenty of good ore still left in mines. In many of them the grade of ore got better as the depth increased, so a lot shut due to a slump in prices and increase in costs getting it to the surface, rather than running out of ore.
The toads fall down the open shaft but it’s amazing they don’t seem to break bones or get hurt. It’s a long drop to solid rock ledge.
Cornwall is built on rock most of which was infused with minerals millions of years ago, and most of it is still down there! Look up South Crofty, which has maybe millions of tons of high-grade tin ore, and has been on the verge of restarting operation for several years now (maybe next year?) Modern mining is much more efficient at extracting the metals: there is even lithium, which nobody needed in the past...
@@rogerfurneaux1529
Thanks for the reply. I somehow missed the much earlier reply from ^this content creator from 3+ years ago. Your reply served as a reminder.
Back in 2011, there were people claiming that the Earth was just 5 years away from running out of economically extractable tin. Then, just yesterday, I did some Google searches to see if we in fact had run out of tin in 2015 or 2016 as predicted, but apparently the answer is no..... Now it seems the date for the extinction of tin has been moved back 40 years. That's good news, I guess......
Great Royalton Mine near Roche. One for the books?
Ooo not heard of that one. Worth checking out ?
It’s fascinating to be able to view this.
Could you give an opinion why these massive openings don’t get populated by bats, birds and other such animals please?
There’s loads of bats down there, in the spring and summer evenings you often see them flying in and out. During winter they hibernate down there so you have to be careful not to disturb them. I don’t think there are any birds that would venture far from the shaft itself. It might be too damp for them. There are no other animals other than flying ones which can access the workings. Every now and then we find dead animals that have fallen down and not survived- badgers/foxes /rabbits. Toads and frogs are the only things so far I have seen be able to survive the fall .
WOW ! 👏👌😍
Very interesting video!!
But of concern is the apparent lack of safety shown in some areas, in particular the walking along the top of a very narrow ledge with steep drops on both sides. That was a very dangerous procedure by crossing that ledge with no protection at all!?
Surely some sort of safety measures could have been done so that in the event of a person slipping or mis-stepping on the ledge, they would not fall (far) down either side of the ledge?
It’s what we call unnecessary dooming a video up for entertainments sake.
Makings of a TV programme.
My Grandfather worked in that mine before he went to war he was killed in 1915
So, in the old days miners entered by rappelling!? So when did they start to elevator!? What is the actual depth of this mine!?
It's about 1200 feet at its deepest.
How deep did you go down into thus mine ?
There are 3 separate drops , maybe 120m in total maybe a bit more, I can’t remember . We took a lot of rope !
OMG!
Could you go deeper from where you where or was that the bottom?
It reaches a point down the bottom where you look down into flooded workings and keeps going further down but underwater.
Next time please leave the wildlife alone
They’ve found themselves there for a reason. Frogs & toads.
By all means go look at our mines, but don’t touch or move the flora or fauna…I’m actually bit annoyed you did that. Please be mindful. These are also Pagan sites.
Are you actually for real ? Leave them down there to starve ? There’s nothing down there for them to eat. These holes are not natural they are man made. There is nothing natural about a frog or toad falling down a mineshaft.