NWG#3 Blåfjell Ilmenite Mine - Sokndal Traditional Cache
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NWG#3 Blåfjell Ilmenite Mine - Sokndal
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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The cache is hidden near the abandoned Blåfjell mine.
About 1 billion years ago this story starts with the molten formation of an ilmenite ore bodies in the Egersund anorthosite complex. In this area are numerous abandoned mines including the Blåfjell mine. In 1870 the Norwegian Titanic Iron Company started mining ilmenite (FeTiO3) at this site. In those days, ilmenite was mined for its iron content and not for its titanium, as it is today.
The ore was transported to the port at Rekefjord along a 7 km long train line and then shipped to Hartlepool England for smelting. The ore was hard to smelt and was therefore blended with hematite iron ore from Bilbao Spain to produce a high quality steel that was strong and resistant to corrosion. The steel was used in military armour, but can also be seen on the rail bridge on the route up to the mine. It is still holding strong after 130 years!
The rail line is an impressive piece of work. During the first couple years horses were used to pull the train. The train consisted of about 20 ore cars and 2 extra cars for the horses so they could ride down the hills.
In 1870 the mine employed 150 men. By 1876 the mine had shipped 76413 tons of ore to England. But due to economic difficulties and the fact that the ore was so difficult to smelt, the mine was closed on the 18th of February 1876. At closing, the mine had 1493.93 kroner and an additional 415.77 kroner that was divided up between the needy miners.
The mine can be reached by following the signs to Linepolloen from highway 44. These signs will lead you to the Blåfjell road that goes along the old railway line. You can either park at Linepollen and walk 3 km up to mine enjoying the sites and the railway construction, or drive the very narrow road with potholes. Your choice. But be sure to stop at “Ruggesteinen” along the way. It is northern Europe’s largest balanced rock that can be rocked. It is also Norway’s first geologic feature that was protected (1923).
The original contents of the cache are:
Candle
Compass
Childs bracelet
Jumping beans
Blue Lakerol drops
Log book, pencil & sharpener
The cache is not visible. Please replace so it remains that way.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
haqre n ebpx gung fvgf oruvaq n ohfu
2 ebpxf ner cynprq ba gbc bs gur ebpx
Treasures
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