Underground at Wheal Trewavas. Abandoned Copper Mine on Rinsey Head, Cornwall.

[@DezJeens]

That take me back - 20 years ago - myself and a friend dropped from the window whilst another mate accessed the cliff breech via a dodgy path and an abseil plus traversing the coast a bit and secured a piece of cheap pink abseil rope there. A grappel hook chucked into the adit somehow caught enough to pull in on and secure with an old alpine piton in a crack. I have a druze of the quartz crystals (which were loose and hard to reach) in a box somewhere.. The old barrow and hobnail were great to see - there were a few fuses and old wet bang sticks somewhere too. Happy days! Loving the videos - keep up the good work.

[@richardm3421]

Whoa nice! Walked past it many times and now I know what is below!

[@mrstephenthomas100]

This might sound like a pathetic comment but...... I watched Poldark, as many will have, and I thought I had a picture of what mining was like. To see these pictures showing what the situation looks like, I find completely mind boggling. To realize that the men who worked these mines, did it to keep their families fed and housed, beggars belief, and they did it by candle-light.. How lucky we are now. The younger generation, and I include my son in that, have no idea. Just incredible, thank you very much for the footage.

[@BenoCam]

No problem glad you enjoyed it. It was a dangerous and hard time to be alive that’s for sure !

[@Saltybuher]

@@BenoCamit amazes me even more how grateful people were for that work.

[@simongilbert2704]

you just frightened the s---t out of me standing on those crumbly edges ;;;

[@BenoCam]

🤣🙈

[@simonjohnson1585]

Great to see you back underground!! Nice upload and thanks for sharing, all the best from Somerset 🍺👏🏻💯

[@BenoCam]

Cheers glad you enjoyed

[@nickthelick]

Love these videos... As a kid I'd have been well up for doing this. But virtually crippled at 45 makes me say, "Rather you than me!" Cheers! ✌🏻🙂👍🏻

[@trs4u]

5:29 I used to tie my bag on a bit lower down the rope and chuck it into side openings so I could pull myself over. I miss this stuff!

[@KernowekTim]

That little kraust bench could "tell some tales". A barrow is a barrow, a banjo is for filling it, but a kraust bench below ground is a haven. Proper men took five there, for smoke or a yarn.

[@BenoCam]

All from the 1840s too 😍

[@KernowekTim]

@@BenoCam Hard rock makes hard-minded men Ben, whether below, or up the quarries.

[@JallenMeodia]

I love the comment "doesn't look like anyone's been in here for a while". I'm like no mate, you just abseiled off a cliff into a mineshaft and had to swing across into a tiny opening of course nobody else would be so insane...and then he finds a head torch. 😅

[@BenoCam]

😂 pretty sure the head torch was dropped from above from that shallow adit and made its way down there with the water pouring down. No one’s been in that bottom bit for a while 🙂

[@latelierfrance]

We swam into the bottom of the shaft yesterday. Not difficult in calm weather if you have a boat.

[@johnmiskin4905]

Amazing Ben what incredible nerves you have. I have done some crazy stuff in back in the day in Cornwall but you take the it to a new level...respect. Stay save mate.

[@BenoCam]

Thanks it’s not that bad really maybe the camera makes it look worse than it is. Also been doing this a while now so we have build up to this . Cheers

[@winkyboyfarquar5107]

Awesome! Been looking forward to this one ever since you posted the little teaser. Nice one!

[@BenoCam]

Haha cheers. We had to wait a while for that wall to stabilise. It looked awful in the winter like it was more regularly on the move maybe all the rain or the frost makes it move but it looks a bit better now so we went for it.

[@robertduerr7762]

Enjoyed this very much, thank you! Loved the comment about the upper adit being prettier : )

[@adamkevern8764]

Very interesting and impressive. Have you ever been in to greatwork mine , which was my own neck of the woods. Inbetween godolphin and Ashton.

[@BenoCam]

Cheers. Not been to great work but i have some plans of it somewhere and it looks interesting

[@vean2004]

Excellent as usual. Been looking forward to see down this mine and it certainly came up to expectations. Just looking at the remaining collars of those shafts, ugh!

[@BenoCam]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it, more on the way when I get chance !

[@Bobafett72]

Greetings from New Zealand. That was an awesome video mate. I really enjoyed it.

[@BenoCam]

😍 glad you enjoyed ! Good that it’s even being watched in New Zealand 👍

[@Bobafett72]

@@BenoCam cool . Makes me a bit home sick watching the vids, since I left when I was only 14 years old. Fond memories playing around the old tin mines.

[@andyknight1]

It's a shame the wheelbarrow can't be carefully brought to the surface and put in a museum. Awesome video, and a good insight to how these people worked in such bad conditions

[@BenoCam]

I doubt any musuem would be interested, they dislike items such as this as the treatment and maintenance of an item made of wood costs a lot of money. There’s better examples about than this and they wouldn’t be interested in those either I don’t expect. The wood is very soft and wouldn’t survive transport very well. You would have to go down with peli packing cases and pack each bit individually then slowly dry the wood out and treat it before re assembly. It could cost a fortune and lose its context of where it’s been left.

[@andyknight1]

@@BenoCam Never thought of that. Thanks for your reply. Loving your videos.

[@wayneofox1081]

Great stuff,super sketchy shaft tops. You have nerves of steel,it's been to long.😊 Thanks for sharing!!!

[@BenoCam]

No probs glad you enjoyed

[@smokeless7774]

Holy moly. I hyperventilate when I go into the cupboard under the stairs! Subbed.

[@BenoCam]

Haha thanks, welcome along. Plenty of older vids to look through and more on the way soon

[@SiaVids]

That was a great explore. Mines and military vehicles, what a great combination. 😎

[@BenoCam]

Haha cheers yes it’s a bit of a random mix

[@dn.sw.explorer]

Great video Ben, been in that upper adit to the winze a few times, Tried to get into deep adit when the tide was right out as the cave is dry then but no gear to get up to deep adit at the time.

[@BenoCam]

Cheers Darren, been meaning to do this one for ages but that surround wall by the engine house has been on the move for a while. We had to leave it settle for ages and it doesn’t look quite so dodgy now 🙈

[@teestravels]

AH this is super a cool i literally tried to camp right next to this mine a couple of weeks back im kinda glad i never climbed all the way down as i didnt want to risk falling in to a shaft great exploration though

[@kimhagen379]

Enjoyed the video very much! Stunning colours from the copper

[@BenoCam]

Cheers glad you enjoyed

[@evieliberty2564]

I grew up on the Lizard. There is a small cove called Devils Frying Pan which has a cave (or smuggling tunnel) in the back which, according to locals, leads back to the village church, maybe a mile underground. Some claim they have gone down it, but don’t know if it is true or accessible anymore.

[@glyn829]

Absolutely brilliant 👍 your brave going down there 👌

[@BenoCam]

😍👍👍

[@nicholastregenza8426]

a totally other world! Thank you guys!

[@BenoCam]

Cheers glad you enjoyed

[@FLOOPC]

Sketchy rocks indeed! Glad you made it out safe! Beautiful colours in there

[@BenoCam]

Worth a look wasn’t it 🙂

[@kernow..exp.]

It's magic around there great video ben

[@BenoCam]

Awesome part of the coast isn’t it 😍 cheers mark 👍

[@UKAbandonedMineExplores]

Your mad going down that shaft lol, found my own legs kicking as you were pushing across it. Amazing wheelbarrow :)

[@BenoCam]

Haha thanks . We looked as this one a while back but decided against it at the time due to recent rock falls in the collar but it looks a little more stable now. Quite glad I did it but probably not one to repeat all that often

[@BobKernow]

Great video! The wheelbarrow is awesome, and so are the colours. Pity there's not more left that's accessible, but well worth seeing anyway.

[@BenoCam]

Cheers glad you enjoyed

[@CCM2361-]

Glad to see you back in the mines! Great video

[@BenoCam]

Thanks 👍

[@TheNorthernTsar]

Another great adventure!!!

[@BenoCam]

Cheers !

[@paulrandallphotography]

I poked my head through that window 7 or 8 years ago now and I’ve always wanted to see a high quality, detailed explore of the place. Cracking video, cool explore and the only thing I’m left wondering is quite how you got back on to that rope to get back out! 😂

[@BenoCam]

I took the tail of the rope in the tunnel with me ! And tied it off to the remains of an old bolt so it couldn’t be pulled back out

[@paulrandallphotography]

@@BenoCam Makes sense! I did think an epic leap to the rope was a bit far fetched but I definitely envisioned you having to try and swipe it with something to get it back. Looking forward to the next video already!

[@paulgodfrey4533]

That was brilliant! Love it.

[@BenoCam]

Cheers, glad you liked it 🙂

[@chrisjackson4457]

Really enjoyed that one Ben I have stood looking down that shaft many times they fascinate me but I am not brave enough to do what you do, what about having look down the bat cave at wheal prosper? And also the great work mine between godolphin and tregonning hills.

[@BenoCam]

Cheers, glad that you enjoyed it. So many mine sites to have a look at. Not looked at prosper but I do have a survey of the shafts at great work and I know some of them go into some good workings. Hopefully get around to it one day !

[@qldabandonedmines]

Sin bin to Eric for leaving Benno solo down the workings solo. Hahaha. Great explore mate.

[@BenoCam]

Ha I would have done the same I wouldn’t fancy going down there with kit which doesn’t grip the rope 😮

[@qldabandonedmines]

@@BenoCam what went wrong? That belay device should take 8-11mm line? I reckon he saw you swinging away down there like a mad man and opted out! Haha. That was a sweet adventure mate. Love your mine exploring stuff. Your so calm. Your the Benedict Cumberbatch of mine explorations.

[@rabbitleader2307]

Excellent as always. Cheers.

[@BenoCam]

😍👍

[@scottvirgogp]

Fantastic video thank you for sharing.

[@BenoCam]

Cheers glad you enjoyed

[@StartledPancake]

Fantastic footage, amazing colours. Feel a bit sorry for that lad that lost his shoe 200 years ago though. They must have cost a pretty penny back in the day, his wife must have been furious.

[@BenoCam]

It was only the heel plate off his boot probably took him a while to realise it was gone 🙈

[@BenoCam]

Back then they actually fixed shoes and boots rather than now when if they get a bit scruffy we chuck them in the bin 🤣

[@danielmorris4585]

Maybe next time put spike into rock or leave rope to get grip getting into mine you almost ended up in the water 5 Minutes 54 seconds into your video I am .. Great Video so far. Like your Style sir

[@BenoCam]

If it was easy everyone would be doing it 🤣

[@cyclerevive]

Good to see you Eric.

[@graydonmiller731]

Very cool, thanks Ben. 👌

[@BenoCam]

No problem glad you enjoyed

[@john3Lee]

OMG No !! I can only just watch, but it is so interesting....... Having got past the scary decent, I found this fascinating - Thanks again.

[@BenoCam]

Haha glad you enjoyed it. I certainly enjoyed filming it !

[@john3Lee]

@@BenoCam I subscribed, and have just been enjoying more of your productions - thanks

[@wideyxyz2271]

Brilliant as always.

[@BenoCam]

Ha thank you

[@davidgibbings6085]

Stay safe beno as you’ve got stollys to restore and drive 👍🙂🙏

[@BenoCam]

More stolly action on the way shortly 👍😍

[@Dave.w-ev9qn1962]

Fascinating video Ben! Great to see what it’s like down there. There are stories of the investors having a luncheon underground, don’t think I fancy that much! Any idea why the two shafts? May be one was a replacement or realignment for another engine. Great watch👌

[@BenoCam]

I’m not sure. It’s odd how they seperate so high up. I guess they were using the same engine for two different roles and needed a bit of space between them

[@xboxcrazee]

Wheres your usual mine pal..? Good vid 👍👍

[@BenoCam]

I tend to go with whoever’s about ! Tom has been away with work recently but will catch him soon 🙂

[@twin40dave]

Great video Ben 😊

[@BenoCam]

Cheers glad you enjoyed it

[@twin40dave]

@BenoCam definitely risked life and limb lol and no backup from your buddies 😆 🤣 😂 ... what are they like 😄 😆

[@jamesmedlow]

That was terrifying! 🤣

[@gavinwarren1413]

At the end, as you were leaving the tunnel, I noticed initials and numbers on the header of the door frame. Couldn't read it properly. Did you take any notice of it.

[@BenoCam]

Just modern graffiti I’m afraid. The top adit gets a few visitors as it’s easy to access and the letters in the wood are quite recent

[@liamphillipclark1]

Very cool find the wooden wheel barrow even got the wooden wheel left intact still and can’t beat abit of copper staining 🫠

[@BenoCam]

Yes that was a nice suprise

[@TallGraham]

Cracking video, cheers!

[@BenoCam]

No probs glad you liked it

[@darylbarnes1437]

Brilliant to see. Thanks :)

[@BenoCam]

No probs glad you enjoyed

[@gregedmand9939]

I'm not sure what this video triggers worse: my claustrophobia or fear of heights! 😱

[@BenoCam]

🤣

[@seeul8rwaynekerr]

Wow! I'm guessing for another day you could have your diving gear on and swim in through that hole to seaward? I'm also assuming that's not the bottom of that shaft either? So more diving to be done in future here then? Keep up the good work lads! Been waiting for this video for a while now!

[@BenoCam]

I think at low tide the whole lot might dry out , no sign of the shaft under water but would be worth a look . There were two adits further up that both went out to sea. I get the impression over the last 100 years or so the sea power has widened that cavern and filled anything in below sadly

[@seeul8rwaynekerr]

@BenoCam but by far this is the most picturesque bottom of mine I've ever seen you enter. Seems very bright inside almost like a church.

[@tomtom4405]

I hate 90 degree edges like the start of the abseil, trying not to get your fingers/hand under the rope, getting the stop/descender caught on the edge etc

[@BenoCam]

Yeah it’s not the easiest. The carpet helps as it allows that slight gap to be able to force the rope off and sort it but it’s never a nice moment getting stuck right on the lip !

[@jfro5867]

Great explore. Surprised the council haven’t capped those shafts off, death traps.

[@BenoCam]

😂 And how would you propose they do that safely with it being right on the cliff edge… also how are they going to get the concrete there? 🤣

[@jfro5867]

@@BenoCam yeah, no idea, but that seems so dangerous, even if they just fenced the whole thing off. That must be a magnet for teenagers.

[@hatchy7918]

@@jfro5867lucky teenagers don’t leave there houses any more

[@martynwatson4929]

Yeah, they should fence off the cliffs too, all tall trees, any roads where you can get run over and make a law that tap water is a max 10 degrees.

[@jfro5867]

@@martynwatson4929 I wasn’t being facetious Martyn, just genuinely surprised there was nothing there, especially when we live in such a risk averse society. Many of the old mines are robustly fenced off for good reason. This one obviously not.

[@Daniel-S1]

Thanks.

[@BenoCam]

Thanks for watching !

[@alexangus9966]

Have you considered a small grapnell or a hook on a line?

[@BenoCam]

Ninja style, I like it 🙂

[@swanseamale47]

Why did the sink the shaft so close to the cliff edge? Did the just follow a seam in from the sea?

[@sailingona]

Nice one :)

[@royfellows5468]

Hi Ben, I was told about the wheelbarrow in the deep adit some years back, so I suspect that people had been down via the winze in the top adit which was probably clear at that time. Just got back from NAMHO which was at Pool, were you there? Didn't see you. I would like to to meet.

[@BenoCam]

Not been there recently, can meet up any time give me a shout 👍

[@jamesclogg8708]

the other engine house next to i has an open shaft worth exploring ?

[@Kernowmafia123]

Yo dude their is a mine near me called trewollac mine in st columb minor could you go in their for a adventure always wondered what was in their

[@BenoCam]

Ooo not heard of that one. So many mines to get in I don’t get as much chance these days to get underground as much as I would like but then it’s winter soon and I always have more time in winter !

[@therealbacon3384]

Would it be possible for you to dive the workings under the sea or would that be outright stupid?

[@christopherrosindale3175]

Is there a shaft open beside the other engine house at Trewavas? I know that the one at Wheal Prosper at Rinsey Cove is capped.

[@Chris-m-m02]

@@christopherrosindale3175 it is open but as far as I know no one’s abseiled down it

[@BenoCam]

Was told it was run in but keen for a look !

[@MerlinKernow75]

I'll quite like one of those quartz crystals but no way I would I go down there to get one.

[@BenoCam]

They are in a pocket of granite up above your head I would imagine that would be pretty hard going to try and get a sample out ! It’s also a total mission to get at 😬

[@juleshathaway3894]

Does anything actually scare you?

[@BenoCam]

Yeah every now and then. I just hide it well 🙂

[@juleshathaway3894]

@@BenoCam You certainly do. Always a good watch, cheers.

[@paulisaac9796]

stuff of nightmares

[@BenoCam]

Or dreams !

[@Chris-m-m02]

Shame about that winze shaft collapse however I don't think it would've gone any further according to a survey plan done by Ali Neill and Kevin Baker sometime Pre 2016, anyways great video though!

[@BenoCam]

Cheers . I couldn’t see the timber covered winse in the first chamber either … rather worrying . Must be under the mud 😮

[@chrisb9360]

I take it there are no under sea tunnels that are accessible thee days?

[@BenoCam]

Can’t see the enterances to any… think they are all filled in. If they existed they would make a pretty awesome dive !

[@chrisb9360]

@@BenoCam that would be an amazing watch for us armchair adventurers that follow you from a safe distance 🙂

[@tom_123]

2:26 That guy needs to take his hands out of his pockets for walking bits like that. If you slip you can’t steady yourself and can go off the edge.

[@BenoCam]

Will pass it on ! 😮

[@khbcamera7182]

Just a thought but finding that headtorch at the point of collapse is a bit strange. Any chance someone has fallen down there from the top adit shown towards the end of the video?

[@BenoCam]

I’m pretty sure either someone threw it down the hole in the upper workings on purpose or lost it down there accidentally. Either way it has been down there a while and was full of water and the leaky battery’s had wrecked it. The top workings are easily accessible to all with no ropes so get a few visitors.

[@Furzepark-c8j]

You are mental. But I do love you videos 😂

[@BenoCam]

😍👍👍

[@biggerthanacadillac]

U said it for me! Barmy....puts the FoGod in me but I admire your bravery!

[@BarryChumbles]

Maybe Eric should take his hands out of his pockets...

[@BenoCam]

😮

[@Corren-i2y]

Andy is my dad