Broadwood Quarry - Dec08

[**MudLark**]

Not entirely sure where to put this one, so if its in the wrong section do feel free to move it into the right one!

Ok, so.... Broadwood is an amazing explore! Parts are believed to be still active, but there are obviously parts of it that aren't! It was used as a dumping ground for salvaged mine equipment from the nearby Grove Rake and Cambokeels mines. All owned by a company called Sherburn Stone Co.
Now, it seems to be home to a frosterley marble sculptor, although understandaby, he wasnt here today...... it was bloody FREEZING!!!
Went with a couple of other NE explorers.... a canny road trip!

There are a few mines and quarries around about, mainly for Iron Ore and fluorspar, and it was the flourospar that was brought here to process.

Flurospar, or flourite is used as a flux in the steel and aluminium smelting process. Called the most colourful mineral in the world, its isometric forms can come in any colour ranging from red, black, brown, green however is most commonly found in purple. Actually, i think is quite pretty....



I doubt it looks like that when they pull it out of here though!!

Anyhow, on with the pics!










looks very tempting.....






I loooove the scale of this shot.... not me btw!


There were loads of engines lying around in here, all covered in a fine film of white dust.









And lastly, couldnt resist this one!


So, all in all a very muddy, cold explore but it was well worth it, took over a hundred pics, there is sooooo much to see! It was hard not to get alot of the same kinds of pics of girders and walkways..... and once we came out of the flourospar processing bit we were all thick with fine, white dust... the stuff got everywhere it looked like snow!!!

So, Grove rake is next.... watch this space

[converse1]

Interesting looking place there Mudlark

[Muse]

What a great place, cool pics mate.

[sqwasher]

Looks like a good find-lots of original bits & bobs around! Got some good pics too!

[andym]

Smashing, I need to pay a visit here, looks really nice