Collecting in old Mines

I am writing this article for the people that collect or plan to collect in a cave or underground mine. Being an active miner and working in this environment for 12 years I can tell you there are ways of making your a trip a safe and enjoyable one.

Lets start out with a personal protective gear. Hard hat, steel toe shoes and eye glasses are a must. Even a small piece of rock hitting you can spoil the day. Next you are going to need some way to see in the dark, if you have access to a miners lamp with battery all the better. Would be wise to carry spare bulb for lamp or flashlight and having a spare flashlight is also a good idea. You don't know what dark is until you loose a light underground.

The buddy system, it is wise to have someone go with you and to also let someone else know where you are going in case you don't return on time. I also find it more of a thrill to share my excitement of finding something with someone that shares the same love and adventure.

I would recommend a pry bar ( scaling bar) to bring down loose ground. We use aluminum pipe, one inch in diameter with a steel tip in the end. We vary the lengths from 4 foot to 20 foot. The more common is 8 foot in length, the idea here is something that you can pry down the loose rock above and around you. The length will depend on the size of the cave  (drift).

Work your way in making it safe as you go till you get to the area you plan to dig. Then spend some time making that area good and safe because you plan on being there for awhile. In some of the old mine you will encounter wooden timbers. Make sure they are solid. Getting hurt is not worth any crystal in the world.

Play it safe and enjoy the experience.