Tuesday 29th September 2026

Mike Kushy, solo. Arrived at 1300, set up breaker and started at the bottom removing the slope. The breaker was then raised and all the loose blocks near the RSJ removed. Estimate about 50 buckets worth to clear at least. Left at 1700. Mike.

Spoil for clearing. Photo MK.

Crystals. Photo MK.

Sunday 27th September 2026

Trevor Hughes, Xiao Jin, Mike Kushy and Lee Venning. XJ, MK and LV to begin with, we met around 10am. Extractor ran initially but still fumey below, so we rigged up the other fan to a 10m pipe. This was used as the extractor (exhaust) half way down the shaft with the other longer fan pumping air to the very bottom, this created a really good draught cycle and the air cleared quickly. MK down the bottom with LV and XJ clearing, 42 cleared then we stopped for lunch. XJ then went down the hole and we cleared 62 in total. TH arrived near the end and so did the heavy rain, which put a stop to things. A dozen buckets of loose at the bottom to clear still and breaker work to do. Up by the RSJ you can see that our recent bangs have been loosening up some big rock, which needs removing next session and this will also allow us to make space for the next ladders to go in. Left around 1430. Mike.

Loads out today. Photo LV.

Spoil removal. Photo MK.

Sunday 20th September 2026

John Cooper, Xiao Jin, Mike Kousiounis (Kushy) and Lee Venning. Warm and dry today, 20°C. Kushy down to start with loading buckets. After 45 sent up he came out and John went down with breaker. Stopped at 62 loads hauled out for the day. Lee then down using electron ladder as the extendable ladder had been left insecurely perched! Drilled 5 holes then replaced by Mike to do the final one. Depth measured. Extendable ladder removed and charge set up and fired once electron ladder removed. There is now no in situ ladder to the bottom! 5 hours. John.

Today's loads hauled out. Photo LV.

Wednesday 16th September 2026

John Cooper, Trevor Hughes and Mike Kushy. MK got to site at 1500 and started to set up. When JC arrived MK went down and drilled holes 32x500mm. Pretty horrid state at the dig face with a puddle full of 3 dead mice, hundreds of insects and a toad. It was too noisy to communicate (with the big genny running) so when Mike came out after 5 holes Trevor made him go back down and drill a 6th! TH joined MK down the bottom. TH set up with MK providing assistance, JC helped with winching tools. One toad was rescued before the very good noise. Left for 1700. New drill works well until the last couple of inches on the bit, not quite powerful enough but will do for now. Mike.

Sunday 23rd August 2026

Mike Kushy and Lee Venning. Met at 10am. Spent the day moving spoil heap no.1. Getting down to the wash through mud now, so we also moved some big rock up by the entrance gate ready to get taken off site. LV left at 1300. MK stayed until 1430. Mike K.

Reduced Spoil Heap 1. Photo MK.

Tuesday 18th August 2026

Mike Kushy. Repeat of yesterday, several hours surface work moving spoil from heap 1 to the track. MK.

Monday 17th August 2026

 Mike Kushy. Several hours surface work moving spoil from heap 1 to the track. MK.