Ball Eye Mine Collapse!

LarryFatcat

Active member
There has been a collapse in Ball Eye which now cuts off access to the lower section with the water tank and spring. The shaft, above the water tank, is completely blocked, as is the usual bypass slither/climb, The top of the former shaft (c6m) is now a false floor, right in the main path.
Also, there is quite a bit of rubbish, inc beer cans, quite far into the complex. Next time we have a club meet there, we'll take a few bin bags but if anyone cleans it up before then, let me know.
 

DJFRASER

New member
We may be headed here tomorrow. If we do I'll be sure to take some bags with me and check out this new collapse
 

royfellows

Well-known member
I am a bit puzzled, has access been restored? As I understood it, it was stopped when the quarry restarted, or has that ceased.
 

AR

Well-known member
There's been no official access to Ball Eye for a long time. I understand that the quarry was sold last year, and I've no idea what the new owners attitude is towards people going into the mine workings, so bear that in mind everyone...
 

LarryFatcat

Active member
There's been no official access to Ball Eye for a long time. I understand that the quarry was sold last year, and I've no idea what the new owners attitude is towards people going into the mine workings, so bear that in mind everyone...
yes there is no access agreement but not "no access". Parts of the workings and the quarry are fenced off and sign-posted with no access- there has been no attempt or impediment put in place to prevent access to the current entrance used by cavers.
 

AR

Well-known member
yes there is no access agreement but not "no access". Parts of the workings and the quarry are fenced off and sign-posted with no access- there has been no attempt or impediment put in place to prevent access to the current entrance used by cavers.
one word to add to that - "yet"...
 

royfellows

Well-known member
I would really like to see the entry to the sough reinstated. It has been many years since last in there, probably 1990s. I remember really nice coffin level, picture taken on an Olympus OM1. My lady friend of the time sits by the forehead, look at the pick marks.
 

Attachments

  • ball eye1.jpg
    ball eye1.jpg
    177.6 KB · Views: 193

AR

Well-known member
Fountrabbey sough now has a very substantial concrete dam at its lower end, so no access from that end. It is possible to get into the upper end, but the route is a bit sketchy and it involves trusting some elderly hangers, so don't ask me for details on a public forum...
 

LarryFatcat

Active member
Ball Eye Bang Wire 354469190_10159668431967864_2881354984846347810_n.jpg

It now seems obvious that the two seperate collapses- 5m apart, blocking both ways down towards the sough, were deliberate
 

Brains

Well-known member
Link to the other thread with some pics of before and after of the shaft. My thoughts are it wasn't natural
 
Top