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I had the acidity of water from the mine tested at Bangor University. The lowest Ph was 2.4 from a stalactite drip in the pillar and stall workings.
Also there is (was) a substantial amount of melanterite present near the top entrance. Please don't collect as it rapidly disintegrates on exposure to the outside air and eventually turns into a white powder.
Gus
posted by Gus on 24/01/2007
No Odour
Thanks Chris, I should have mentioned that before about gas in this mine, strange as it was there wasn't any odour that I recall, but since this mine is full of shale it can hold large pockets of gas, though when I was exploring the main level there was the obvious sulphur smell in the air.
posted by Carl Blackwell on 30/10/2006
Gas?
The previous comment mentions the top adit and difficulty in breathing. It's most probably lack of oxygen. As the sulphides are oxidised they strip out oxygen from the atmosphere and poor ventilation will not replenish this easily. If the sulphides were releasing hydrogen sulphide then you would smell the pungent odour of rotten eggs, (if you smell this strongly and then it suddenly disappears-not good!).
posted by Chris Andrews on 30/10/2006
Caution
Cae Coch Sulphur mine has 2 main entrances. The top adit has a large opening. Exit through bottom entrance, prepare to get wet and dirty. This mine needs extreme caution, as parts have collapsed. I discovered this when I explored it the first time and found an adit going off in the top right not quite at the back. The next time I went, I couldn't find it and realized after a lot of searching that I was standing on the top. There is lots of shale and several deep flooded shafts. There is also another adit higher up in the woods above this entrance. DO NOT ENTER. When I went in here there was about 6 inches of water and the adit curved to the right. Once I went around the corner I found it hard to breath. What gas was in there I don't know and haven't been since. This mine is worth exploring. Go in groups. There is a shaft near the back for you to climb down without ropes (use the pipe for grip) and exit out of the bottom adit. Your legs and feet will be yellow for a few days if not wearing thigh waders.
posted by Carl Blackwell on 28/10/2006
