Force Crag Mine


Lead and Barytes Mine

Worked until 1990

Jan 1st, 2024 from NMRS by Buddle-Bot

Mar 13th, 2025 by BertyBasset



Derelict remains of Force Crag Mine photographed in May 2009
Lake District
Braithwaite
54.5835991, -3.2398031
NY 1997 2164
Open Access
284m
#15,660


The Force Crag vein, running in an east-west direction, has been extensively mined at the head of Coledale Valley above Braithwaite. Initially, the upper levels produced baryte and psilomelane but weren’t economically viable until the 1860s when baryte became profitable. In contrast, the lower levels yielded sphalerite and some galena. Mining activity has occurred intermittently since the early 18th century, continuing into the 20th century, with the last operations undertaken by The New Coledale Mining Company from 1984 to the early 1990s, during which several remarkable specimens were unearthed.

A noteworthy find in the 1990s, on the 650 level off the Laporte incline, unveiled a collection of supergene minerals, including acanthite, anglesite, well-formed cerussite crystals, langite, lautenthalite, linarite, serpierite, native silver, and exceptionally fine pyromorphite crystals ranging from pink to brown in color, measuring up to 2 centimeters. For further details, refer to the UK Journal of Mines & Minerals - Issue No.18. Additionally, other minerals discovered at Force Crag include lustrous sphalerite and galena, often associated with dolomite, yellow fluorite, and sizable baryte crystal clusters measuring up to 30 centimeters. Although old references to stolzite exist, they have yet to be confirmed. The mine is now designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).



1859-1863 Jacob Walton & Co. 1864-1866 John P. Walton & Co. 1867-1875 J. Straughton & Co. 1876-1879 Force Crag Mining Co. 1880 Force Crag Lead & Barytes Co. 1905-1906 G.G. Blackwell & Co. Ltd 1907-1910 Cumberland Mines Ltd 1912-1915 Coledale Synd



Publications (10)

  • (1921); BGS - Mineral Resources of GB (c1920s) Vol XXII - Lead & Zinc: Lake District; 65 pages
  • (1983); CATMHS - Trip Report 06 02 - Force Crag; 1 pages
  • (1983); CATMHS - Trip Report 06 11 - Brandelhow/Force Crag Mine; 1 pages
  • (1986); CATMHS - Trip Report 07 12 - Force Crag; 2 pages
  • (1987); CATMHS - Trip Report 01 11 - Force Crag Mine; 1 pages
  • (1990); CATMHS - Trip Report 25 03 - Force Crag Mine; 1 pages
  • Adams, John (2nd Ed 1995); Mines of the Lake District Fells; pp. 44-47
  • James, Jonathan Peter and Foster, Adrian (2001); PDMHS (Peak District Mines Historical Society) 14-5 Sum - Tramways and Locomotves at 20th Century Mines in the Peak District; 18 pages (58-75)
  • Palmer, Marilyn and Neaverson, Peter (1989); PDMHS (Peak District Mines Historical Society) 10-6 Win - Comparative Archaeology of Tin and Lead Dressing in Britain during the Nineteenth Century, The; 32 pages (316-347)
  • Willies, Lynn and Hall, Robin and Martin, Tim and Brears, Peter (2006); PDMHS (Peak District Mines Historical Society) 16-4 Win - Force Crag Mine Mill; 7 pages (14-20)


Derelict remains of Force Crag Mine photographed in May 2009Adit



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