Side Mine - Matlock

History

“Side Mine, also known as Slit Mine or Paint Mill Adit, is a historic lead mine situated beneath High Tor in Matlock, Derbyshire. Dating back to the 1760s, it played a significant role in the region's mining industry. In 1769, John Barber and George Goodwin were granted permission to install waterwheels and machinery on the east bank of the River Derwent to drain the mine, utilizing a weir and a 1,201-foot linkage from the waterwheel to the pumps. In the 1840s, the mine was operated by Mr. Boothman of Manchester and his partner, Mr. Briscoe of Wrexham. Despite significant investments exceeding £10,000, persistent flooding led to the cessation of mining activities by 1844. Mining operations ceased in 1844 due to persistent flooding issues. Following its closure as a lead mine, the site transitioned into a pigment manufacturing facility. By the mid-19th century, it became known as the High Tor Colour Works, producing pigments for paints, inks, glazes, and other products. In 1851, the facility was converted to a white lead works, establishing connections with the Via Gellia Colour Co, a paint manufacturer. This facility produced pigments for paints, inks, glazes, and other products. Waste materials, including red iron oxide pigments, were vented into the mine, staining its walls and floors, a feature still visible today. While the lower levels of the mine are flooded today, the upper sections are accessible and the red pigment is present throughout the system. The site is currently up for sale as a potential residential development opportunity. Efforts have been made to clean and secure the area, but its future remains uncertain”.