B. Links

The EIMCO 12-B Rocker Shovel

Eimco 12-B’s were manufactured by the Eimco Corporation of Salt Lake City, Utah and were exported in large numbers throughout the World. In September 2000 they were granted an Historical Mechanical Engineering Landmark Award by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, to commemorate “the first device to replace human labour in removing the rubble from blasting in underground hard-rock mines”.

In the chambers near Hendre where limestone mining was carried out, loose rock was loaded into wagons using these Eimco’s, known by Halkyn Miners as ‘diggers’. They ran on rails having arm-mounted buckets to the front and were controlled by a man standing beside. The operator would drive the digger into a rock pile and by pulling a lever, the loaded bucket would swing over the Eimco dropping the rock into an empty wagon behind.

For an interesting paper describing the 12-B’s history and importance to mining, click link below. This links to a PDF file:

https://www.asme.org/wwwasmeorg/media/resourcefiles/aboutasme/who%20we%20are/engineering%20history/landmarks/212-eimco-rocker-shovel-loader-model-12b.pdf

National Association of Mining History Organisations

“Formed in 1979 to act as the national body for mining history in the UK and Ireland. There are now over 50 member organisations, including societies, museums, firms, etc. NAMHO provides many sets of guidelines, plus advice, insurance etc. and their newsletters are available to all on-line”. 

http://www.namho.org/

MINING HISTORY

Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust – Mines Index

In 1992 and 1993, CPAT carried out a “rapid survey” of non-ferrous metal mines in Flintshire & Denbighshire. Their results are available on-line. For those that are new to the subject, their web site offers a basic description of surface remains. Unfortunately the Mines Index entirely ignores the underground archaeological record, which hinders interpretation of surface remains.  

http://www.cpat.org.uk/projects/longer/mines/mines.htm

WEB SITE FOR EXPLORERS

AditNow.co.uk

An information sharing resource and discussion forum for the mine exploration community as well as industrial archaeologists, researchers, historians and anybody with an interest in mine exploration or mining history. The site provides a searchable database of mines and quarries from across the UK, comprehensive information and thousands of mining photographs and documents.

http://www.aditnow.co.uk/

SOCIETY

The Northern Mine Research Society

“A group of people dedicated to the preservation and recording of mining history, Northern referring to the Society's administrative base rather than its field of interest. It started as the Northern Cavern & Mine Research Society in 1960, but its members' increasing interest in mining led the Society to change its original name to the present title in 1975. Now one of the largest such organisations in Britain, the Society has hundreds of members countrywide and many overseas. Reflecting this, British Mining is Britain's foremost mining history publication”. 

http://www.nmrs.co.uk/

SOCIETY

Welsh Mines Society

“The Welsh Mines Society arose in June 1979 out of an informal meeting of subscribers to David Bicks' Old Metal Mines of Mid-Wales. From the start our ambitions have been modest enough - we never set out to do anything in particular, and, judging by attendance's (to our twice yearly field meets), we have succeeded pretty well. Although we sought to do so little, much in fact has been done. Several (mining) sites have benefited from our labours, we have hosted NAMHO, and the Welsh Mines Preservation Trust, born of the WMS in 1991, has achieved a great deal. In addition, several members have worked closely with Cadw and the Royal Commission on Historical Buildings in recording and preservation. And during the last 26 years our interests have broadened into slate and even coal as well”. 

http://www.welshmines.org/

SOCIETY

Welsh Mines Preservation Trust

“The Welsh Mines Preservation Trust was formed in 1992, by members of the Welsh Mines Society out of need for a recognised 'charitable' body which was able to secure funding for, and provide advice upon, the conservation & preservation of mining remains in Wales and the Welsh Borders”.

http://www.welshmines.org/wmpt/

LOCAL CLUB

Grosvenor Caving Club

The club was formed in 1982. They explore the disused lead workings and caves of Flintshire & Denbighshire, meeting regularly on a Wednesday evening and at week-ends. The club are responsible for developing many exploration routes throughout Halkyn Mines via the Milwr Tunnel. The club has around 80 members and they welcome newcomers.   

https://www.grosvenorcavingclub.co.uk/

LOCAL CLUB

North Wales Caving Club

Formed in 1973, this club also explores the caves and mines of Flintshire & Denbighshire, with a current emphasis on the caves of the Minera District.

For further information, check their web site:

http://www.northwalescavingclub.org.uk/