- now out of print

Mining Remains in South West Shropshire
Account 18 - T.Davies, M.Newton & A.Pearce (1993)

ISBN 0 9519140 4 7
First published as the "Engine Houses of the Mines of South Shropshire" (in 1969), it was the first attempt to systematically survey the surface remains of the metal mines in South Shropshire. Terry Davies' original surveys have been reproduced and complemented by Malcom Newton's superb sketches of the buildings, allowing the reader to quickly grasp what the structure was like, forming a unique study of the local metal mining industry.

Underground Video Techniques
Account 19 - Peter Eggleston (1994)

ISBN 0 9519140 6 5
This account was originally produced for the Underground Video Workshop held during the 1992 National Association of Mining History Organisations (NAMHO) field meet, hosted by the SCMC. The increasing use of video equipment underground has given rise to the need for information on how to choose video equipment for subterranean use, the protection of fragile kit, some examples of useful procedures and techniques and some special problems of lighting and sound below ground.

The final topic is a summary of some general video production ideas, and how they can be applied underground.

The Geology of the Shelve Mining Region
Account 21 - R.P.Fowler (1994)

ISBN 0 9519140 8 1
The Shelve Mining Region is a predominantly sedimentary succession, with some interbedded pyroclastics and intrusives, which are Precambrian to Early Silurian in age. The area underwent folding and faulting during the Taconian Orogeny and has also probably been relocated from the original depositional area along the Pontesford Linley fault system.

The area was extensively mined for barytes, lead and zinc in the 19th century. The distribution of these minerals was the result of the complex geological structure and seven phases of incursion by mineral rich fluids.

The Dudley Limestone Mines
Account 23 - Steve Powell (1999)
Produced jointly with the Peak District Mines Historical Society

ISSN 1366-2511
Almost all traces of the mines around Dudley (now part of the West Midlands conurbation) have "disappeared", this publication is intended to provide a background history to the limestone mines of Dudley, an insight into their operations and a guide to those features that still survived at the time of writing.

Recent Club Accounts

The Mines of Llanymynech Hill
Account 14 - D.R.Adams (1991)

ISBN 0 9519140 0 6
This unique site on the Shropshire/Wales border has been worked intermittently from at least Roman times up to the last century. Known locally as the Ogof (the welsh name for cave), the site has often been mistaken in the past for a cave, but it is in fact a very early mine working.

The site is near to Offa's Dyke (an early defensive earth work) and two iron age hill forts. Copper was worked in the early years, but when these deposits were exhausted, zinc and lead were mined.

Snailbeach - Recent Explorations
Account 15 - S.R.Holding (1992)

ISBN 0 9519140 1 4
Situated in the South of Shropshire in the middle of the metal mining area, Snailbeach was by far the largest metal mine in Shropshire. At one time it was considered "the richest mine per acre of ground in Europe". This fact, taken together with the extensive collection of surface remains has made the site very popular with mining historians.

Sadly, underground exploration has been particularly difficult since the mine closed in 1911, and it is only in recent years that considerable progress has been made in reaching the upper parts of the 'main' stopes and workings.

Plans to fill the underground workings have been strongly opposed by the Club, while some of the near surface, unstable sections have been lost, the deeper more interesting areas have been saved - largely due to the discovery of rare bats!

The Mines of Lilleshall & Church Aston
Account 16 - David J.Coxhill (1992)

ISBN 0 9519140 2 2
For many years the presence of old limestone mines and quarries, on the East side of Shropshire, around the Village of Lilleshall was virtually unknown. Flooded, overgrown, infilled and abandoned, few passers-by appreciated the important role these holes played in the Industrial Revolution in Shropshire - providing considerable amounts of limestone for the blast furnaces of Coalbrookdale and surrounding areas.

Extensive research by Club Members since the late 1950's, with a full scale survey in the 1960's, coupled with improved geological information (from bore holes sunk in the 1980's and 90's) has effectively brought the mines back, from being mere folk memories to being fact.

Snailbeach Lead Mine - Surface Remains
Account 17 - Dr. I.J.Brown (1993)

The surface remains at Snailbeach are considered to provide the most complete lead mining complex of the period 1850-1900 that can be found anywhere in Europe. The value of the site lies not in the individual buildings, but in the total setting. No fewer than 11 of its surviving structures have been listed as worthy of retention. The unique range of buildings include: engine houses of wood, stone and brick for beam, horizontal and vertical steam engines, along with adits, flues, dressing floors, shafts, workshops, railways, a magazine and a reservoir.