Saturday 1st August 2026

Mike Kushy and Lee Venning arrived on site at 10.45am. The weather was sunny and warm. We set the extractor up and then LV headed down to fill buckets while MK was on winch duty. After about 15 x buckets had been winched to the surface MK was joined Mikey Waterworth (MW). Once 30 x loads had been winched topside LV returned to the surface, with MW replacing him down the shaft armed with the small breaker. MW stayed underground until we reached a total of 48 buckets.

We stopped for lunch as it was 2pm already and afterwards MK went down shaft to continue work with the breaker, after a further 10 loads we called it a day.

We all left site at 3:15pm, 4 ½ hours, Lee.

Total Buckets Removed x 58

Base at end of session. Photo MK.

Loads hauled up today. Photo LV.

Monday 27th July 2026

John Cooper, Mike Kousiounis and Lee Venning, with a visit from David Morrison. John arrived about 16.45 and started setting up. Mike arrived about 17.00 and arranged the extractor fan and then descended to start drilling. Lee arrived about 17.15 and descended to assist Mike. Four 32mm holes 600mm deep drilled and charged. All equipment removed and spoil created. Extractor fan run again to remove fumes. 1½ hours. John.

Sunday 26th July 2026

Trevor Hughes, Mike Kushy and Lee Venning. MK and LV arrived for 10.30 and set up the extractor fan. MK went to the bottom to clear with LV winching. 43 loads cleared and we stopped for break at 13.30. We then set up the breaker and MK went down the hole again. TH arrived around 14.30 and assisted LV on surface. 64 buckets cleared and we left site for 16.30. Mike.

Start of session. Photo MK.

End of session. Photo MK.

Loads hauled out. Photo LV.

Sunday 19th July 2026

John Cooper, Michael Kousiounis and Lee Venning. MK and LV to begin with, got started around 11.00. We ran the extractor for 20 minutes whilst setting up. LV then went down to clear and use the breaker. 18 heavy loads cleared and we stopped for lunch around 13.30. JC showed up and help with surface support whilst MK and LV set a charge. 4 holes @ 32mmx600mm, all filled and fired fine. Done for 15.00. Mike.

Tuesday 14th July 2026

Joe Bidie, Mike Kushy and Alessio Sancetta. MK did all the set up with AS spectating and JB surface assisting. 6 holes drilled @ 12x550mm. All fired fine, quieter than previous charges. Drill went through to void in the floor after 250mm again. Mike.

Sunday 12th July 2026

John Cooper, Trevor Hughes, Mike Kousiounis and Lee Venning. Hot, 28°C and sunny but a cooling breeze. Mike at the bottom clearing existing spoil with John hauling and Lee and Trevor emptying. After 30 loads removed the breaker was sent down and another 20 loads hauled out, 50 for the day. Depth measured at 15.35m. 2 hours. John.

Today's total. Photo LV.

Start of session. Photo MK.

End of session. Photo MK.

Sunday 5th July 2026

Mike Kushy and Lee Venning arrived on site at 11am. The weather was overcast but the sun soon put in an appearance. After adapting the extractor fan to use the new 2 inch air pipe MK headed down equipped with the breaker and got to work removing loose rock and mud from the floor and walls. After LV had winched twenty-four loads to the surface we decided to stop for lunch; this was about 1pm.

Once lunch was done MK and LV went down again and got to work drilling holes. Trevor Hughes and John Cooper arrived about 1:40pm but JC didn’t hang around as there wasn’t much for him to do.

We drilled 5 x 500mm holes and 1 x 250mm hole, all 12mm diameter (The 1m drill bit entered a void after about 250mm and this void continued the remaining 750mm of the drill bit). MK then supervised LV who did the set-up, with TH providing surface support. Once the set-up was complete, we retreated to the surface and the holes were destroyed.

Depth measured at 15m.

We all left site at 3:15pm. 4¼ hours. Lee.

Today's haul. Photo LV.

Looking South. Photo MK.