Snailbeach Mine
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SJ373022 | — | Favourable | 0.88 | 2020-07-30 |
| SJ374022 | — | Favourable | 0.88 | 2020-07-30 |
Geology & landscape
Mining / Industrial: Lead Mine · Geological Period: Ordovician
Description
Description A series of lead barium veins within the Ordovician Mytton Formation have been exploited for lead, possibly since Roman times. Most of the mines are now inaccessible. The once extensive mine dumps on the east side of the Stiperstones Ploxgreen Road testified to the scale of working in Snailbeach Mine, the largest lead mine in the district. Although most of these mine dumps have been reclaimed, a conservation section retains samples of the coarser grained material from which good specimens of galena, sphalerite, barite and calcite can be obtained. Of particular interest is the presence of witherite. Specimens have recently been obtained in which typical waxy witherite is attached to a heavy carbonate with arhombohedral cleavage.