Above Threlkeld village, two lead/zinc veins, Woodend and Gategill, were actively worked. It’s believed that mining on the Gategill vein predates the use of gunpowder. The mines boast extensive workings, with Woodend High and Low levels extending nearly a mile beneath Blencathra. Quartz served as the primary gangue mineral, with pyrite present in the lower levels, causing challenges in ore separation and corrosion of iron ventilation pipes. Baryte was found in a single stringer off the Woodend Lode, while chalcopyrite occurred in uneconomic quantities. Additionally, cerussite and malachite have been reported from this area.
The mine is believed to still have substantial resources, and rumours about re-opening surface periodically.
- 1820s Involvement of John Taylor
- 1848-1863 Walton & Cowper
- 1863-1871 John P. Walton & Co.
- 1872-1876 Saddleback Mining Co.
- 1879-1904 William Bawden/Threlkeld Mining Company
- 1905-1910 Threlkeld Syndicate under W.H. Borlase
- 1913-1928 Threlkeld Mines Ltd.
External Links
Publications (30)
- (1988); CATMHS - Newsletter 021-October; 28 pages
- (1990); CATMHS - Newsletter 026-April; 24 pages
- (2000); CATMHS - Newsletter 062-December; 38 pages
- (2003); CATMHS - Newsletter 071-May; 29 pages
- (2004); CATMHS - Newsletter 076-August; 23 pages
- (2007); CATMHS - Newsletter 089-November; 32 pages
- (2010); CATMHS - Newsletter 099-April; 40 pages
- (2010); CATMHS - Newsletter 100-August; 36 pages
- (2011); CATMHS - Newsletter 102-February; 37 pages
- (2011); CATMHS - Newsletter 103-May; 28 pages
- (2012); CATMHS - Newsletter 106-February; 27 pages
- (2012); CATMHS - Newsletter 107-May; 32 pages
- (2013); CATMHS - Newsletter 113-November; 38 pages
- (2014); CATMHS - Newsletter 114-February; 44 pages
- (2014); CATMHS - Newsletter 117-November; 32 pages
- (2015); CATMHS - Newsletter 119-May; 35 pages
- (2015); CATMHS - Newsletter 120-August; 34 pages
- (2015); CATMHS - Newsletter 121-November; 36 pages
- (2016); CATMHS - Newsletter 123-May; 43 pages
- (2016); CATMHS - Newsletter 124-August; 45 pages
- (2017); CATMHS - Newsletter 128-August; 48 pages
- (2018); CATMHS - Newsletter 132-August; 40 pages
- (2019); CATMHS - Newsletter 134-February; 37 pages
- (2019); CATMHS - Newsletter 135-May; 37 pages
- Adams, John (2nd Ed 1995); Mines of the Lake District Fells; pp. 98-100
- Anon; Threlkeld Mine; 1 pages
- Eastwood T. (1921); BGS - Mineral Resources of GB (c1920s) Vol XXII - Lead & Zinc: Lake District; 65 pages
- Fairbairn, R.A.; NMRS (1995); British Mining 54 - Lead Mine Waggons; ISBN 0901450 45 6; pp.17,19.
- NMRS (1972); Memoirs Vol2, No.2; pp.45-48,50,58.
- Wilson G.V., Eastwood T., Pocock R.W., Wray D.A. & Robertson T. (1922); BGS - Mineral Resources of GB (c1920s) Vol II - Barytes and Witherite; 136 pages
