The Astonishing Journey into the World’s Deepest Gypsum Mine

The Birkshead drift mine in Cumbria is situated deep beneath rolling farmland, marking it as the world’s deepest gypsum mine. Located near Long Marton and against the backdrop of the North Pennines, this bungalow marks its presence among fields. The underground operation extends to a depth of 1000 feet (305 meters), where conveyor belts link extraction sites with processing areas.

Peter Richardson, the shift manager, expresses his familiarity and comfort within these tunnels: “You have to be vigilant, but I truly feel at home down here. I’ll miss it when I retire.” This mine, operational since 1977, extracts raw materials for producing plasterboard in the building industry.

The mine’s cavernous tunnelsreaching up to 30 feet (9 meters) highare wide enough for a Range Rover and are often filled with dust. Despite this, workers note that the towering ceilings can make it feel less like being underground: “With ceilings as high as they are you don’t really feel like you’re in a mine,” one worker explains.

The descent into the mine follows a steep road with sharp bends. Underground staff receive no direct information about surface weather conditions, but they are periodically reminded of life above by the smell of freshly cut grass from nearby fields venting through the system.

However, underground realities can be challenging: “If you’re down a mine and your light fusessomething I’ve experiencedit’s problematic,” says Mr. Richardson. Nowadays, staff carry backup torches instead of traditional bulbs which could leave them in darkness if their batteries failed.

The gypsum extraction process involves machines that resemble giant porcupines, operated from air-conditioned cabs to protect workers from the dust clouds they generate. Conveyor belts transport thousands of tons daily to a British Gypsum factory in Kirkby Thore for further processing. These conveyor systems stretch up to 3,300 feet (1 kilometer), and replacing them is “a big undertaking,” requiring careful handling due to their tension.

Safety protocols are stringent; emergency shelters with self-contained life support systems ensure staff can stay safe in the event of an incident. Mr. Richardson describes these precautions as necessary: “If I had a vehicle fire, thick black smoke would fill the tunnels, making visibility difficult. Hence, we have strobe lights to guide us during emergencies.”

Despite potential hazards, workers feel secure at Birkshead mine: “The fear factor just isn’t there,” Mr. Richardson emphasizes. He adds that awareness of surroundings and careful planning are paramountemphasizing the wisdom captured in an old coal miners’ saying: It’s always the good roof that’ll get you, not a bad one because you’ve got that sorted.