The R Bell Mine was a copper mine in use about a hundred years ago. Since then, water has seeped through the surrounding bedrock and into the mine. Along the way it dissolved certain mineral compounds, usually calcite and aragonite (both calcium carbonate), or gypsum (calcium sulfate). When the solution reaches the air-filled mine, a discharge of carbon dioxide may alter the water's ability to hold these minerals in solution, causing them to precipitate. Over time the accumulation of these precipitates forms speleothems, better known as cave formations. Several examples are now visible along the length of the mine shaft.
A soda straw is a speleothem in the form of a hollow mineral tube. They grow in places where water leaches slowly through cracks in rock, such as on the roofs of caves. In soda straws, as each drop of water hovers at the tip, it deposits a ring of mineral at its edge. It then falls and a new drop takes its place. Each successive drop of water deposits a little more mineral before falling, and eventually a tube is built up. A soda straw can turn into a stalactite if the hole at the bottom is blocked, or if the water begins flowing on the outside surface of the tube. Soda straws are extremely delicate, so do not touch!
A stalagmite is a type of speleothem that rises from the floor of a cave due to the dripping of mineralized water and the deposition of calcium carbonate on the cave floor. These stalagmites are young, and still very small.
Flowstones are composed of sheetlike deposits of calcite formed where water flows down the walls or along the floors of a cave. The deposits may grade into thin sheets called "draperies" or "curtains" where they go over overhanging portions of the wall.
Rimstone is a type of speleothem in the form of a stone dams. Rimstone is made up of calcite and other minerals that build up in cave pools. The formation created, which looks like stairs, often extends into flowstone above or below the original rimstone. Rimstone basins may form terraces that extend over hundreds of feet, though the ones in this mine cover only a few feet.
Beware the beast which lurks in the depths of this mine. Also, please try not to disturb her as she's trying to raise babies. Two other types of rats have been observed in this mine, and bats are a probability. Give any creature as wide a berth as possible.
This cache is a medium sized Lock & Lock, recycled from an archived cache. To find it, you must enter the mine and navigate the longest tunnel to the end of the mine. Backtrack to the last alcove where you will find the cache. Getting lost in this mine should not be a concern, however due the the nature of any cave/mine I was emphasize these points:
- Cave-ins are possible. Make sure someone knows exactly where you're going and what time you're due back. Never go alone.
- Take more than one light source.The first group to find this cache had one of their (thankfully) three lights fail while underground, so it's not as improbable as you may think.
- Watch where you step. Speleothems on the floor are easy to miss.
- Leave no trace. Everything that goes in with you comes out with you. That includes any bathroom requirements you may have.
- Wear boots. There are mud and puddles in sections of the mine.
- LOOK BUT DON'T TOUCH. Skin oils can disturb where the mineral water will cling, thus affecting the growth of the formations. Oils and dirt from the hands can also stain the formation and change its colour permanently.
This is a very rough map of the inside of the mine. Please exercise caution as there are 2 downward tunnels in the other section of the mine. They just loop together, but falling in and breaking a leg would surely ruin your day.