A wild flower trail, pond life artwork and new orientation panels have been added to the wildlife rich reserve to ensure visitors know where to go to see the best of the site. This has all been made possible thanks to support from Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund through the Derbyshire Environmental Trust. The fund helps to build communities and transform lives through awarding grants to community and environmental projects across Derbyshire.
Alongside the new trail and panels, the Trust has installed a beautiful carved oak bench where visitors can take a moment to take in their surroundings – it is one of the highlights of the project, along with restoration of the dew pond.
The ancient lead mining area is home to specialist lead tolerant flowers. As part of the Mining and Botanical Legacy project, there is a new geology panel in place next to the old barn which tells visitors about the characteristics of the land, how it came to be that way and how it affects what grows there.
Gang Mine has a fantastic history which has affected the biodiversity of the area. It is hoped that visitors will not only enjoy the beauty of the reserve more but also learn about the local environment and how historic industrial practices have helped shape the landscape. Local schools who use the reserve for educational visits will be amongst those who reap the benefits of the improvements.
John Bradshaw, Estate Manager at Tarmac said: "We are proud to be able to support Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to help improve the nature reserve. We hope that everyone who visits Gang Mine enjoys the new trail and finds the new orientation panels useful and informative."
The name Gang Mine comes from the word 'gangue', meaning waste, for the waste minerals which were dumped around the shafts.
Metal-rich grasslands such as Gang Mine are uncommon across Europe and because of this the area has been designated not only as a Site of Special Scientific Interest but also under European Law as a Special Area of Conservation.
The 12 hectare site is open at all times and accessible to most in dry weather so why not visit and admire it for yourself - click here
