These mines are located on the outskirts of the Lake District National Park, with numerous veins running through Skiddaw slate rather than limestone. Knockmurton mine was established in the 1850s, and its productivity surged following the installation of a rail connection to the main network. Shaft sinking at Kelton commenced in 1873, leading to significant tonnage extraction from these relatively remote mines, peaking at 61,000 tonnes in both 1882 and 1883. However, substantial mining activities ceased in 1913, with a minor re-working attempted in 1920. The veins tapered off in depth.
Notably, substantial amounts of kidney ore were found in lough holes, often accompanied by small quartz crystals.
- 1863-1865 Thomas Carmichael
- 1866-1868 John Stirling
- 1869-1871 Wm Baird & Co.
- 1875 Wm Baird & Co.
- 1877 Wm Baird & Co.
- 1882-1892 Wm Baird & Co.
- 1897-1904 Wm Baird & Co. Ltd
- 1908-1914 Wm Baird & Co. Ltd
- 1920 St Nicholas Mining Co.
External Links
Publications (17)
- (1924); BGS - Mineral Resources of GB (c1920s) Vol VIII 2nd Ed - Iron Ore - Hematites of West Cumberland, Lancashire and Lake District; 245 pages
- (1985); CATMHS - Newsletter 010; 24 pages
- (1985); CATMHS - Trip Report 22 06 - Knockmurton Mine; 2 pages
- (1986); CATMHS - Newsletter 015-December; 26 pages
- (1988); CATMHS - Trip Report 07 12 - Knockmurton Mine; 5 pages
- (1989); CATMHS - Newsletter 023-March; 25 pages
- (1989); CATMHS - Newsletter 024-August; 32 pages
- (1989); CATMHS - Newsletter 024-August; 32 pages
- (1991); CATMHS - Newsletter 031-November; 31 pages
- (1991); CATMHS - Trip Report 07 07 - Knockmurton Mine; 2 pages
- (1995); CATMHS - Newsletter 043-July; 48 pages
- (1999); CATMHS - Newsletter 057-June; 19 pages
- (2009); CATMHS - Newsletter 094-February; 49 pages
- (2015); CATMHS - Newsletter 120-August; 34 pages
- (2017); CATMHS - Newsletter 128-August; 48 pages
- (2018); CATMHS - Newsletter 130-February; 39 pages
- Adams, John (2nd Ed 1995); Mines of the Lake District Fells; pp. 109-110
