[Morrisey]

One of many iron ore shafts in the area and the last deep working mine in Europe. When British Steel Corporation closed Florence in 1980, a group of miners decided to keep it going under the name of the Egremont Mining Company.
Known as haematite, the red ore within the limestone layers was common. First mined here in the 1830s, the dust quickly covered buildings and the people who worked there, giving rise the phrase ‘the red men'
The ore was used in steel making, for producing pig iron and later sold as annealing ore - used to extract carbon from castings. It was also extracted as a pigment for paint and cosmetics.
The mine is now completely flooded, sellafield were pumping water at their cost for reactor coolant which kept Florence going, but back in 2007 due to the decommissioning of Sellafied the mines water was no longer required. This along with the demise of the British steel industry and cheap imports helped to bring about the death knell for this mine that once employed over a 100 men!

[andym]

Excellent, I've been meaning to have a look here myself for ages, but haven't found myself in the area yet.

[detritus21]

Drove past this place in October. Wanted to stop but the wife said no.

[boboil]

Originally Posted by detritus21

Drove past this place in October. Wanted to stop but the wife said no.

& You actually listened ??????? Tut Tut

Looks a great mooch, already looking forward to a visit

[georgie]

quality this m8

[superkev]

If I'ld known you were in the area, I would have pointed out Beckermet http://nwex.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5632

and Ullcoats http://nwex.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7287

both a stones throw from Florence

what colour footprints are on your car mats now by the way?

[carabeener]

Ding dang do. What a belter.

[Gibbo]

That is absolutely tremendous!

[tristanjay]

Spot on find that is Moz, very few mines have that "the workers just downed tools and left" look about them - a little gem and a sad demise.

[Edus1]

Belting find