Mining Core Samples on Newnes Plateau

[canyoning.cat]

Hi, just wondering if anyone has information about the mining surveying that was done on the Newnes Plateau. I remember seeing some drill holes at the Surefire exit (or was it Heart-Attack? I can't recall right now); at the end of the 'firetrail' which I think was actually built to facilitate the drilling...
Cheers

[T2]

My understanding is that many if not most of the trails around the Newnes Plateau were put in as part of mineral exploration. I'd assume they were drilling to identify the depth, thickness and quality of coal and oil shale seams.

Dave Noble probably has good insights, given early canyon exploration in the 70s and 80s took advantage of these trails.

Keith Muir knows the area extremely well, given his campaigning to have the Gardens of Stone created and expanded. You can reach him at [email protected]. I'd be surprised if he didn't have some useful knowledge.

Another option would be Andy Macqueen.

I'd be keen to hear what you find out.

[canyoning.cat]

My understanding is that many if not most of the trails around the Newnes Plateau were put in as part of mineral exploration. I'd assume they were drilling to identify the depth, thickness and quality of coal and oil shale seams.

You seem to be correct T2. My understanding now is that the trails to the north (around Deans Ck and Rocky and excluding the Mt Cameron Tr) were certainly for mineral exploration. Apparently linked to the mine that was operational for a short time in the Wolgan Valley below the Glow Worm Tunnel. On one of the older maps there is a mining camp marked above Surefire.

[canyoning.cat]

Interestingly I found some more core samples when walking to Gooches Crater several weeks ago. They were on a bend down by the Wollangambe.