Mine abandonment plans
The exploitation of natural resources by underground mining commenced in Northern Ireland about 200 years ago and has in some areas left a legacy of surface instability above disused workings for coal, salt and other minerals. The existence of abandoned mine workings is a significant consideration in relation to planning and environmental protection.
The Mineral Development Act (NI) 1969, gives the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) responsibility for mineral licensing in Northern Ireland and for most of the abandoned mines which were vested under the Act. In consequence, the abandoned salt mines in Co. Antrim which were particularly at risk of collapse have been fenced off and are subject to regular monitoring. In addition, some 300 other shafts and adits have either been sealed or capped.
The Geological Survey of Northern Ireland Abandoned Mines Database contains information on the location of over 2000 abandoned shafts and adits that may be viewed on the GSNI Geoindex and in some cases plans of the underground workings. These plans are available to view from the list below.
| Plan Number | Plan Name | Commodity | View Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| MP001 | Conlig/Whitespots Lead Mine (M3/158) | Lead | View Plan MP001A View Plan MP001B |
| MP002 | Skerry Mine (M3/443) | Bauxite | View Plan MP002 |
| MP003 | Skerry Mine (M3/443) | Bauxite | View Plan MP003 |
| MP004 | Skerry No. 2 Mine (M3/619) | Bauxite | The plan for this mine is not currently available. |
| MP005 | Crommelin Mines and Tuftarney Mines (M3/620) | Iron Ore | View Plan MP005 |
| MP006 | Crommelin Mines and Tuftarney Mines (M3/621) | Bauxite | View Plan MP006 |
| MP007 | Glenravel Mines (Tunnel Level Workings) (M3/486) | Iron Ore | View Plan MP007 |
| MP008 | Glenravel Mines (Ballynahavla Pit Workings) (M3/486) | Iron Ore | View Plan MP008 |
| MP009 | Evishacrow Mines (M3/96) | The plan for this mine is not currently available. | |
| MP010 | Evishacrow Mines (M3/96) | Iron Ore | View Plan MP010 |
| MP011 | Evishacrow Mines (M3/96) | Bauxite | View Plan MP011 |
| MP012 | Evishacrow Mines (Bauxite) (M3/112) | Iron Ore | View Plan MP012 |
| MP013 | Parkmore Iron Ore Mines (M3/223) | Bauxite | View Plan MP013 |
| MP014 | Essathohan Bauxite Mine (M3/619) | Bauxite | View Plan MP014 |
| MP015 | Essathohan Bauxite Mine (M3/619) | View Plan MP015 | |
| MP016 | Trostan Mines (M3/489) | Bauxite | View Plan MP016 |
| MP017 | Tuftarney Bauxite Mine (M3/619) | Bauxite | View Plan MP017 |
| MP018 | Cargan Mine (M3/479) | Bauxite | View Plan MP018 |
| MP019 | Dungonnell Mines (M3/484) | Iron Ore | View Plan MP019 |
| MP020 | Knockboy Mines (M3/488) | Bauxite | View Plan MP020 |
| MP021 | Correen Mine (M3/480) | Bauxite | View Plan MP021 |
| MP022 | Elginny Mine (M3/443) | Bauxite | View Plan MP022 |
| MP023 | Elginny Mine (Blue cloth) (M3/443) | Bauxite | View Plan MP023 |
| MP024 | Cullinane Mine (M3/481) | Bauxite | The plan for this mine is not currently available. |
| MP025 | Ballynabarnish Mine (Blue) (M3/443) | View Plan MP025 | |
| MP026 | Ballynabarnish Mine (M3/443) | Bauxite | View Plan MP026 |
| MP027 | Lyles Hill Mine (Tracing) (M3/443) | Bauxite | View Plan MP027 |
| MP028 | Lyles Hill Mine (M3/443) | View Plan MP028 | |
| MP029 | Lyles Hill Mine (M3/443) | Bauxite | View Plan MP029 |
| MP030 | Lyles Hill Mine (M3/443) | Bauxite | View Plan MP030 |
| MP031 | Cullinane Mine (M3/481) | Bauxite | View Plan MP031 |
| MP032 | Duncrue Mine & French Park Mine & Maiden Mount Mine (M3/484) | Rock Salt | View Plan MP032 |
| MP033 | French Park Mine (M3/483) | Rock Salt | View Plan MP033 |
| MP034 | Maiden Mount Mine (M3/483) | Rock Salt | View Plan MP034 |
| MP035 | Tennant Mine (M3/483) | Rock Salt | View Plan MP035 |
| MP036 | Duncrue Mine & French Park Mine & Maiden Mount Mine (M3/483) | Rock Salt | View Plan MP036 |
| MP037 | Burleigh Hill Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP037 |
| MP038 | Maiden Mount Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP038 |
| MP039 | Maiden Mount Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP039 |
| MP040 | Maiden Mount Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP040 |
| MP041 | Maiden Mount Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP041 |
| MP042 | Maiden Mount Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP042 |
| MP043 | Maiden Mount Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP043 |
| MP044 | Maiden Mount Mine | Rock Salt | The plan for this mine is not currently available. |
| MP045 | Maiden Mount Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP045 |
| MP046 | Maiden Mount Mine | Rock Salt | The plan for this mine is not currently available. |
| MP047 | Maiden Mount Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP047 |
| MP048 | Maiden Mount Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP048 |
| MP049 | Maiden Mount Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP049 |
| MP050 | French Park Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP050 |
| MP051 | French Park Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP051 |
| MP052 | French Park Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP052 |
| MP053 | French Park Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP053 |
| MP054 | French Park Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP054 |
| MP055 | French Park Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP055 |
| MP056 | Duncrue Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP056 |
| MP057 | French Park Mine & Duncrue Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP057 |
| MP058 | French Park Mine & Duncrue Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP058 |
| MP059 | French Park Mine & Duncrue Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP059 |
| MP060 | French Park Mine & Duncrue Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP060 |
| MP061 | French Park Mine & Duncrue Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP061 |
| MP062 | French Park Mine & Duncrue Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP062 |
| MP063 | Maiden Mount Mine & French Park Mine & Duncrue Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP063 |
| MP064 | Maiden Mount Mine & French Park Mine & Duncrue Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP064 |
| MP065 | French Park Mine & Duncrue Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP065 |
| MP066 | French Park Mine & Duncrue Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP066 |
| MP067 | Maiden Mount Mine & French Park Mine & Duncrue Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP067 |
| MP068 | Maiden Mount Mine & French Park Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP068 |
| MP069 | French Park Mine & Duncrue Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP069 |
| MP070 | French Park Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP070 |
| MP071 | French Park Mine & Duncrue Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP071 |
| MP072 | Maiden Mount Mine & French Park Mine & Duncrue Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP072 |
| MP073 | Maiden Mount Mine & French Park Mine & Duncrue Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP073 |
| MP074 | Carrickfergus/ International | Rock Salt | View Plan MP074 |
| MP075 | Carrickfergus/ International | Rock Salt | View Plan MP075 |
| MP076 | Carrickfergus/ International | Rock Salt | View Plan MP076 |
| MP077 | Carrickfergus/ International | Rock Salt | View Plan MP077 |
| MP078 | Carrickfergus/ International | Rock Salt | View Plan MP078 |
| MP079 | Carrickfergus/ International & Tennant Mine & Black Pit Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP079 |
| MP080 | Carrickfergus/ International & Black Pit Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP080 |
| MP081 | Carrickfergus/ International & Tennant Mine & Black Pit Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP081 |
| MP082 | Carrickfergus/ International & Tennant Mine & Black Pit Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP082 |
| MP083 | Carrickfergus/ International & Tennant Mine & Black Pit Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP083 |
| MP084 | Carrickfergus/ International & Tennant Mine & Black Pit Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP084 |
| MP085 | Carrickfergus/ International | Rock Salt | View Plan MP085 |
| MP086 | Carrickfergus/ International | Rock Salt | The plan for this mine is not currently available. |
| MP087 | Carrickfergus/ International & Tennant Mine & Black Pit Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP087 |
| MP088 | Tennant Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP088 |
| MP089 | Tennant Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP089 |
| MP090 | Maiden Mount Mine & French Park Mine & Duncrue Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP090 |
| MP091 | Carrickfergus/ International & Tennant Mine & Black Pit Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP091 |
| MP092 | Maiden Mount Mine & French Park Mine & Duncrue Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP092 |
| MP093 | Carrickfergus/ International & Tennant Mine | Rock Salt | View Plan MP093 |
| MP094 | Barrow Mine (M3/20) | Iron Ore | View Plan MP094 |
| MP095 | Barrow Mine (M3/20) | Iron Ore | View Plan MP095 |
| MP096 (M3/20) | Barrow Mine | Iron Ore | View Plan MP096 |
| MP097 | Barrow Mine (M3/20) | Iron Ore | View Plan MP097 |
| MP098 | Barrow Mine (M3/20) | Iron Ore | View Plan MP098 |
| MP099 | Barrow Mine (M3/20) | Iron Ore | View Plan MP099 |
| MP100 | Carrickfergus/ International | The plan for this mine is not currently available. | |
| MP101 | Belleek Mine (M3/490) | View Plan MP101 | |
| MP102 | Belleek Mine (M3/490) | Iron Ore | View Plan MP102 |
| MP103 | Caldwell Mine (M3/491) | Coal | The plan for this mine is not currently available. |
| MP104 | Salt Pans Colliery, White Mine Colliery, Falbane Colliery, North Star Colliery, West Mine Colliery, Lagglass Colliery, Goldnamuck Colliery, Pollard Colliery, Griffin Colliery, Gobb Colliery, Portnagree Colliery & Carrickmore Iron Mine | Coal | View Plan MP104 |
| MP105 | Salt Pans Colliery, White Mine Colliery, Falbane Colliery, North Star Colliery, West Mine Colliery, Lagglass Colliery, Goldnamuck Colliery, Pollard Colliery, Griffin Colliery, Gobb Colliery, Portnagree Colliery & Carrickmore Iron Mine | Coal | View Plan MP105 |
| MP106 | Salt Pans Colliery, White Mine Colliery, Falbane Colliery, North Star Colliery, West Mine Colliery, Lagglass Colliery, Goldnamuck Colliery, Pollard Colliery, Griffin Colliery, Gobb Colliery, Portnagree Colliery & Carrickmore Iron Mine (M3/477) | Coal | View Plan MP106 |
| MP107 | Salt Pans Colliery, White Mine Colliery, Falbane Colliery, North Star Colliery, West Mine Colliery, Lagglass Colliery, Goldnamuck Colliery, Pollard Colliery, Griffin Colliery, Gobb Colliery, Portnagree Colliery & Carrickmore Iron Mine (M3/477) | Coal | View Plan MP107 |
| MP108 | North Star Colliery (M3/477) | Coal | View Plan MP108 |
| MP109 | White Mine Colliery (M3/577) | Coal | View Plan MP109 |
| MP110 | White Mine Colliery (M3/577) | Coal | View Plan MP110 |
| MP111 | White Mine Colliery & Falbane Colliery (M3/577) | Coal | View Plan MP111 |
| MP112 | Carrickmore Iron Mine (M3/577) | Coal | View Plan MP112 |
| MP113 | Salt Pans Colliery, White Mine Colliery, Falbane Colliery, North Star Colliery, West Mine Colliery, Lagglass Colliery, Goldnamuck Colliery, Pollard Colliery, Griffin Colliery, Gobb Colliery &Portnagree Colliery | The plan for this mine is not currently available. | |
| MP114 | Salt Pans Colliery, White Mine Colliery, Falbane Colliery, North Star Colliery, West Mine Colliery, Lagglass Colliery, Goldnamuck Colliery, Pollard Colliery, Griffin Colliery, Gobb Colliery &Portnagree Colliery | The plan for this mine is not currently available. | |
| MP115 | North Star Colliery | View Plan MP115 | |
| MP116 | Goldnamuck Colliery (M3/510) | Coal | View Plan MP116 |
| MP117 | Goldnamuck Colliery (M3/510) | View Plan MP117 | |
| MP118 | Doon Colliery (M3/482) | Coal | View Plan MP118 |
| MP119 | Doon Colliery (M3/482) | Coal | View Plan MP119 |
| MP120 | Doon Colliery (M3/482) | Coal | View Plan MP120 |
| MP121 | Griffin Colliery (M3/482) | Coal | View Plan MP121 |
| MP122 | Griffin Colliery (M3/482) | Coal | View Plan MP122 |
| MP123 | Griffin Colliery | The plan is not currently available for this mine. | |
| MP124 | Griffin Colliery | The plan is not currently available for this mine. | |
| MP125 | Carrickmore Iron Mine | Coal | View Plan MP125 |
| MP126 | Ballyvoy Colliery | Coal | View Plan MP126 |
| MP127 | Craigfad Mine (M3/873) | Coal | View Plan MP127 |
| MP128 | Craigfad Mine (M3/873) | Coal | View Plan MP128 |
| MP129 | Lisnastrane Mine (M3/770) | Coal | View Plan MP129 |
| MP130 | (Various Pits, e.g. Bartley, Primate, Alexander etc.) | View Plan MP130 | |
| MP131 | Coalisland Colliery, Annagher Colliery (M3/224) | Coal | View Plan MP131 |
| MP132 | Coalisland Colliery (M3/224) | Coal | View Plan MP132 |
| MP133 | Coalisland Colliery (M3/224) | Coal/Fireclay | View Plan MP133 |
| MP134 | No. 5 Annagher (M3/12) | Coal/Fireclay | View Plan MP134 |
| MP135 | Annagher (M3/12) | Coal/Fireclay | View Plan MP135 |
| MP136 | Annagher (M3/12) | Coal/Fireclay | View Plan MP136 |
| MP137 | Ulster Fireclay Mine (M3/284) | Fireclay | View Plan MP137 |
| MP138 | Ulster Fireclay Mine (M3/284) | Fireclay | View Plan MP138 |
| MP139 | Ulster Fireclay Mine (M3/284) | Firelcay | View Plan MP139 |
| MP140 | Ulster Fireclay Mine (M3/284) | Fireclay | View Plan MP140 |
| MP141 | Ballynakilly Fireclay Mine (M3/599) | Fireclay | View Plan MP141 |
| MP142 | Corr Fireclay Mine (M3/565) | View Plan MP142 | |
| MP143 | Creenagh Fireclay Mine (M3/509) | Coal/Fireclay | View Plan MP143 |
| MP144 | Brackaville Mine (M3/492) | Coal/Fireclay | View Plan MP144 |
| MP145 | Derry (Gortnaskea) Mine (M3/827) | Coal/Fireclay | View Plan MP145 |
| MP146 | Derry Fireclay Mine (M3/31) | Coal/Fireclay | View Plan MP146 |
| MP147 | Derry Clay Mine (M3/30) | Coal/Fireclay | View Plan MP147 |
| MP148 | Derry Mine (M3/495) | Coal/Fireclay | View Plan MP148 |
| MP149 | Derry Mine (M3/29) | Coal/Fireclay | View Plan MP149 |
| MP150 | Drumreagh Mine (M3/29) | Coal/Fireclay | View Plan MP150 |
| MP151 | Derry Plantation Mine (M3/32) | Coal | View Plan MP151 |
| MP152 | Creenagh Colliery (M3/494) | Coal | View Plan MP152 |
| MP153 | Congo Colliery (M3/493) | Coal | View Plan MP153 |
| MP154 | Dungannon Colliery (M3/34) | Coal | View Plan MP154 |
| MP155 | Drumglass New Colliery (M3/33) | Coal | View Plan MP155 |
| MP156 | Rossbeg Colliery (M3/11) | View Plan MP156 | |
| MP157 | Rossbeg Colliery (M3/11) | Coal | View Plan MP157 |
| MP158 | Rossbeg Pit (Duffys) (M3/11) | Coal | View Plan MP158 |
| MP159 | Drumglass Colliery, Lewin Colliery, Annagher Colliery (Portlock Plate H) | Coal | View Plan MP159 |
| MP160 | Drumglass Colliery (Eastern half of 2 part plan) | Coal | View Plan MP160 |
| MP161 | Cratley Colliery (M3/343) | Coal | View Plan MP161 |
| MP162 | Drumglass Colliery (Western half of 2 part plan) | Coal | View Plan MP162 |