-> -----Original Message-----
-> From: mining-history [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
-> On Behalf Of Simon Chapman
-> Sent: Sunday, October 16, 2005 9:44 PM
-> To: [log in to unmask]
-> Subject: Warren Cement Works, Hartlepool
-> 
-> Anhydrite was mined by partial extraction at Warren Cement 
-> Works (NZ516345) between 1924 and 1930. The mine was worked 
-> at four levels, each tunnel being directly underneath the 
-> one above. Roads were 6m high and 5.5m wide, with about 1.5m 
-> of rock between. The top of the anhydrite was about 28m 
-> below ground level and the bottom at 77.5m. It appears to 
-> have been worked from a single shaft which was about 65m deep.
-> 
-> Information from "Report on Abandoned Mineral Workings and 
-> Possible Surface Instability Problems" by Charles Morris, 
-> pub. Cleveland County Council c.1980.
-> 
-> This report pointed out that the site was only then used as 
-> a playing field but if any redevelopment was planned then a 
-> thorough investigation should be carried out regarding 
-> possible subsidence. I was contacted by an engineer some 
-> years ago carrying out such such investigation so perhaps by 
-> now the site is built upon.

Hi Simon, hello all,

I quote below the article from the Hartlepool Mail, which I read online now
and again and which published the article on Friday, 7th October:
__________

TESTS will be carried out on an old flooded mine to check any risk of
subsidence to people living above it.

One councillor fears that erosion could have made the Hartlepool site
unstable and in danger of collapse.
The 75-year-old anhydrite mine lies under land between Old Cemetery Road and
West View Road (right), in the Central Estate area of Hartlepool.
The mining network, up to 200ft deep and flooded with sea water, was
established to dig for anhydrite, a mineral used in cement production.
Most of it lies beneath grassland known locally as Central Park but six
homes are located on the edge of the land affected by the network of
tunnels.
Council officers want to carry out tests to find out whether the sea water
is eroding the mines and whether there is any danger of subsidence.
Bore hole tests would be used to assess erosion levels and check the
stability of the roof structure and supporting pillars.
Ian Parker, Hartlepool Borough Council's director of neighbourhood services,
said: "We would like to do some further work to assess its long-term
stability. We have no reason to think there is any problem there. The
concern is there is a mine there. The mine consists of a lot of chambers. It
is all underwater. We know rock does erode with time.
"We need some information on what rate that is happening, to assess rates of
erosion to make sure there is no danger to people or property in the
vicinity of it.
"There is no evidence to suggest there is any subsidence there at the
moment, but obviously that's a possibility."
The land above the mine covers an area of 450ft by 1,200ft.
Councillor John Marshall, of St Hilda ward, said: "My concerns are that the
structure underground - it's a huge area and it is now full of sea water -
could possibly have structural problems and it could collapse."
He said anhydrite dissolves in water and he feared that underground pillars
could now be unsafe.
A detailed report on the situation is set to go before the council's cabinet
in the near future.
However, Mr Parker said the monitoring would be likely to cost hundreds of
thousands of pounds. 

07 October 2005
__________

OK, Not 10 out of 10 marks for science. So it appears most of the area is
still unbuilt, but 6 homes at least border the area. I know the area only
very vaguels, as I didn't live in or frequent that part of town when I did
live in Hartlepool. I probably won't get back there until much before next
summer, so any further eresearch will have to wait until then, I guess. What
surprises me somewhat is that the mine was worked for such a short period,
being closed practically immediately after production reached its zenith
after only five years of operation.

I wonder if that Cleveland County Council report is still available from
anywhere? The playing field, by the way, is Hartlepool RLFC (well done
Leeds!)

Thanks for the information.

Regards

--
Alan Johnson, Geotr@ns
www.geotrans-online.de
German-English, Geosciences/Technical
http://geotransblog.blogspot.com/
Terminus Est