Boltsburn Mine, Rookhope, Stanhope, County Durham, England, UKi

Regional Level Types
Boltsburn Mine	Mine (Abandoned)
Rookhope	Village
Stanhope	Civil Parish
County Durham	County
England	Constituent Country
UK	Country

Boltsburn Mine, Rookhope, Weardale, County Durham, England, UK

The main engine shaft of the Boltsburn mine is located on the west end of the village of Rookhope, south side of the burn and near the intersection of the Boltsburn and Red veins. The workings of the Boltsburn mine proper follow the Boltsburn vein to the northeast. The mine was originally developed in the early 19th century for lead and, even though the vein was rich in fluorspar, it was relatively poor in galena.

In 1892 incredibly mineralized metasomatic flats were discovered adjacent to the vein which ultimately produced much galena and many spectacular specimens of fluorite. The fluorite was of such a quality that much was sold to German microscope manufacturers such as Zeiss for use in high-quality optics. Though ore reserves still remained, the mine closed in 1931 due to labour problems and the cost of transporting ore from the working face, now about 3.5 km north of the main shaft.

Workings on the Boltsburn West level are extensive and likely date to at least the 18th century. This extension of the Boltsburn vein was worked primarily for iron ore from the extensive flats of oxidized siderite that are found there. Iron ore mining in Weardale ceased in the late 19th century, but the level was reopened and prospected during the second world war as a possible source of iron. Additional workings were developed at that time, but it appears unlikely that the mine ever went onto actual production at that time. In the mid 2010s a group of local mine explorers reopened the entrance to the level and for a few years limited numbers of specimens were recovered.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References