Jimbbo2009
Member
First post previously only used the database, but thought this would be useful information to share.
Went to have a look at Mildam recently, After climbing the gate I was immediately apprehended by the landowner, however being friendly has it’s benefits and he opened the gate to explain the history and show me how sealed it is.
(Very thick concrete blocks with gate inside, air shaft is also sealed with scaffolding poles full of concrete)
After a couple hours chatting, I’ve gleaned the info I’ll share.
Although it was operated by big multinational the land has been in this man’s family for years (his father worked in sallet hole & ladywash and had some brilliant pictures which I’ve been asked not to share). When the operation was abandoned, the company didn’t hold up their end of the bargain and to this day owe him quite a sum. Along with this he’s been left with the liability and after operations ceased in 2023, copper thieves did what they do best and some yobs vandalised a plaque for a miner who died there, forcing him to seal it up as cheaply as he could, meaning the entrance has been entirely blocked.
However he didn’t seem entirely against the idea of some form of access agreement in the future for experienced explorers (BCA members) and was clearly very passionate about the mining history in the area.
This being said i would strongly advise against anyone from attempting entry, as the site isn’t owned by some multinational company, just and old boy who has to pay to fix it every time someone breaks in. If you’re a heartless bastard and this doesn’t bother you, consider the fact this is pretty detrimental to a future access agreement ever being established.
Hopefully will talk to him again at some point and will update if I can get controlled access on the table
Went to have a look at Mildam recently, After climbing the gate I was immediately apprehended by the landowner, however being friendly has it’s benefits and he opened the gate to explain the history and show me how sealed it is.
(Very thick concrete blocks with gate inside, air shaft is also sealed with scaffolding poles full of concrete)
After a couple hours chatting, I’ve gleaned the info I’ll share.
Although it was operated by big multinational the land has been in this man’s family for years (his father worked in sallet hole & ladywash and had some brilliant pictures which I’ve been asked not to share). When the operation was abandoned, the company didn’t hold up their end of the bargain and to this day owe him quite a sum. Along with this he’s been left with the liability and after operations ceased in 2023, copper thieves did what they do best and some yobs vandalised a plaque for a miner who died there, forcing him to seal it up as cheaply as he could, meaning the entrance has been entirely blocked.
However he didn’t seem entirely against the idea of some form of access agreement in the future for experienced explorers (BCA members) and was clearly very passionate about the mining history in the area.
This being said i would strongly advise against anyone from attempting entry, as the site isn’t owned by some multinational company, just and old boy who has to pay to fix it every time someone breaks in. If you’re a heartless bastard and this doesn’t bother you, consider the fact this is pretty detrimental to a future access agreement ever being established.
Hopefully will talk to him again at some point and will update if I can get controlled access on the table
