CraigD: In regard to being penalized with an infraction for not quoting a published reference, I sincerely believe I provided a valid reference supporting my claim that abandoned mines become cooler with depth. This was provided to Science Forum members two days before the 'infraction,' which can be found in another post you may have missed:
Please consider the fact that I was once the owner-operator of a mine, until the Federal meddling made it unprofitable to continue: MSHA, BLM, OSHA, EPA, etc. Meeting all the different regulations eventually made mining too expensive. At one point I was featured in a nationally known publication for my mining activities, also a member of the Western Small Miners Association and Mineral Mining Society.
I also served on the Open Space Board of a county known for mining; albeit now better known for tourism. Been in open pit mines a mile deep, deep lead mines, deeper gold and silver mines. I probably have far more experience with hard rock mining and subsurface geology than the detractors who write as if they know so much.
So when I write deep WORKING mines get hotter with depth, I'm writing from first hand experience. When I write some once intensely heated working mines, now long ABANDONED, get colder with depth, I'm also writing from first hand experience. The difference is clearly the absence of workers, their operating equipment and lighting.
“(I have)
been there” should be all that is needed for my first claim. Please forgive the arrogance, but I was once a recognized authority on abandoned mines growing cooler with depth and their dangers. In the past others came to ME for information. I venture to claim I have been inside more abandoned mines than any member of the Science Forum, sometimes to consider buying same or appraising them for others to invest in or (mainly) to survey tunnels and shafts for possible closure at taxpayer expense (Mineral Severance Tax) and/or installation of Bat Grates; These allows bats to hibernate in the now cooler but stable mine temperatures they require for that purpose.
Abandoned Mine Lands
The posted explanation in support of my claim that abandoned mines become cooler seems clear to me. What more do you need?
In addition, I can report first hand that WORKING mines become very heated. Much of this is due to the effort of the workers, heat from their operating equipment, intense, localized, albeit temporary heat from the use of explosives and constant heat from MSHA & OSHA required lighting. Air temperatures in active working mines I know about personally have exceeded 44C/111F. And the walls were hot to the touch.
Temperatures also varied with type of mineral being mined, number of workers, total amount of heat energy (BTU) released by operating equipment, use of explosives, total watts of lighting, etc. Some shifts claimed their air temperatures probably reached 50C/122F before they had to cease operations, but I wasn't there when that happened, and, frankly, I doubt it. I do know lots of water and salt pills were used up.
Air temperatures in many, but not all, long abandoned mines I know about personally have fallen over time to as low as 6C/42F with claims of ice forming on their floors in the lowest depths; 0C/32F. And the walls were cold to the touch. I was not able to verify any of the lowest tunnels being below freezing because so much hydrogen [there's that word again] based compounds had seeped into lower levels (ventilation long disabled) and I lacked the necessary breathing apparatus. [Hydrogen based gases have also killed many trespassers who ventured into abandoned mines. There are over 23,000 abandoned mines in Colorado alone and barely over 6,000 have been secured to date.
Victims of mining accidents have encountered deadly odorless gasses, fell down holes that opened under their weight, drowned in
near-freezing pools of water at the bottom of shafts, and were buried in unpredictable cave-ins.
Abandoned Mines
Another issue, which is related to the dangers within abandoned mines, is Radon gas emissions. These are measured in picoCuries per Litre of ambient air: pCi/L. Some abandoned mines will have pCi/L readings above 600, whereas active mines are much lower, albeit sometimes not low enough to be safe for extended working conditions. Above 4pCi/L is considered harmful to health, especially for smokers. In the latter, radon will adhere to the carbon particles trapped in their lungs and cause lung cancers. Many homes have radon in excess of 4pCi/L in their basements, where children often play; children being to most easily affected by radon.
The Dangers Of Radon Gas Poisoning | LIVESTRONG.COM
From my experience with mine safety, I have continued to test for radon over the years in the basements of homes where we have lived. I still own an electronic radon gas detector (ain't cheap) and have long provided a free service to members of my church and friends for the testing of their basement environments; sometimes resulting with dire indications of them being extremely unsafe. I ended up sealing the basement in my town home as if it were a swimming pool; to prevent any intrusion by radon gas from the outside soil. As a side issue, I must encourage all SF members to consider testing their homes for radon.
Awareness of the danger of radon is growing. Currently, many counties and cites now require new homes to have radon abatement systems installed before a certificate of occupancy will be issued. Others are growing in number which at the least require a radon test before a home can be sold, new or used. This should be common knowledge among real estate agents [all should be aware]. See above published reference.
At any rate, I can state with some authority that many abandoned mines in which I have had personal experience do in fact cool off with time when not actively worked and some become very dangerous because their hydrogen compounds and radon gas emissions are no longer being ventilated, as well as for hidden physical dangers.
Does anyone still believe abandoned mines don't get colder over time, especially the member who wrote "It is all Bull Shit?" Failure to apologize will say something for his character.
I am also confident some SF members are worthy authorities on other subjects. Do they also have to reference some unknown person in some obscure publication to qualify their personal opinions as well?
