Hendre Spare Mine - North Wales

Hendre Spar Mine has a somewhat elusive history, with most of the information coming from scattered reports. The mine was primarily worked for Fluorspar and Calcite by a team of seven men underground and ten on the surface. Operations continued across six levels, originally accessed via a steep incline that is now flooded. The mine remained active until 1981, when it was finally shut down and the adit sealed.

Despite its closure, much of the underground workings remained accessible for years, with some impressive stopes, calcified walls, and levels still reachable by ladders, though some sections required SRT (Single Rope Technique). 

Unfortunately, sometime in 2024, the ladders were removed and the general access agreement was revoked. This was likely due to increasing safety concerns, as the site had become a hotspot for unsupervised visitors, particularly younger explorers, making it an accident waiting to happen. While disappointing for responsible explorers, the decision was ultimately for the best.