Birk Fell Hawse Mine
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Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NY292015 | — | Favourable | 2.08 | 2021-11-04 |
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Devonian, Ordovician
Landscape processes: Volcanic / Igneous
Description
Description Birk Fell Hawse Mine is situated high on the Tilberthwaite Fells to the south of Wrynose Pass, west of Ambleside. The mineral vein deposits found here are diverse in nature and of varied age. They form an important part of the Lake District base metal orefield. A copper bearing vein at Birk Fell Hawse cuts Ordovician rocks of the Borrowdale Volcanic Group and has been worked both underground and at the surface. The mineralisation is typical of the Lake District late Devonian copper veins in carrying chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite and chlorite. Good examples of the mineralisation can be seen on the dumps from the adit level on the southern slopes of the hill, where in situ vein exposures may also be studied. On the top of the fell, chalcopyrite and bornite can be found, both in situ and on the dumps, on the site of shallow opencast workings. Birk Fell Hawse Mine is nationally significant in the study of late Devonian copper veins in the Lake District. The site provides a unique opportunity in Britain to study this style of mineralisation in situ.