An uncapped mineshaft at the Brinsley Headstocks site was discovered with its old winding cable intact.
The former mineshaft was rediscovered on Tuesday (January 21) during a survey as part of ongoing works to prepare for a full oak replacement of the headstocks.
The old structure was dismantled in December 2023 over safety concerns.
The shaft discovered on Tuesday is the third found at the site, with two others uncovered in in October 2024 following a ground investigation using old maps.
The headstocks formed part of Brinsley Colliery, off Mansfield Road near the village of Brinsley, which opened in 1842 and closed in 1934, although shafts at the site remained open until 1970 for access to other pits.
After the full closure in 1970 the grounds became a nature and picnic area frequented by dog walkers, with the preserved wooden headstocks acting as a local landmark and memorial.
Kennith Hamilton, Chair of Friends of Brinsley Headstocks, the voluntary community group maintaining the site, said: “They found a roll of winding wire in it, the steel cable that winds the cages up and down.
Chris Riley, Conservation and Green Spaces Development Manager at Broxtowe Borough Council, said: “When we dug this uncapped shaft, we dug down and found it, we found the edges of the shaft, dug out some stones in the middle and dumped at the side was the old winding cable.
“It was almost like the mine had been abandoned and everything covered over and buried, like a time capsule almost.”
An engineers report is now needed assess the best option to fill the mine shaft and cap it off safely.
Mr Riley said: “We think it’s far enough away from the Brinsley Headstocks, we don’t think it’s going to have an impact on the work but we can’t be certain.
“Until we know what it’s going to cost we can’t say for sure. We’re going to have to make it safe, a budget will have to be found.”
The known number of deaths at the site while it was a working pit was 27 but Mr Hamilton says this has now increased.
He added: “That’s gone up to 33 now, they found new names and there will be a board up with their names.”
Broxtowe Borough Council’s wider plans for the site include the creation of new ponds to benefit the Water vole population, along with the clearing of grassland for a wildflower meadow and community orchard.
An old miner’s tag was also found in October 2024 by James Rogers while on a dog walk- these were used to keep track of people in mines in the event of an accident.
Mr Hamilton said: “Since then we’ve had metal detectors go up and we’ve found three more – he’s also going to do more bits on the site to see if he can find anything else.
“We’re hoping – the plan is the headstocks will be up by the end of this year.”
• Plans to demolish Nottingham monastery and make a community garden
