Mines and minerals in Derbyshire (UK): Slaley Quarry

Located in the attractive Via Gellia valley near Cromford and just south of the village of Slaley lies the now disused Slaley Quarry, also known as Parrish Quarry. It's a sizeable quarry and accessed via a small gated entrance off the A5012 about 900 meters from the Bonsall turnoff as you head up Via Gellia out of Cromford.

I visited the quarry on the 23rd May 2017 and parked in the disused entrance which meets the main road at right angles and is easily missed. Be aware that the first 10 foot or so of the entrance contains deep loose soil but becomes firmer as you progress. The main road contains fast moving traffic including lorries and that, combined with the surface condition, means due care needs to be taken if parking here!

The entrance is gated and locked and access is only possible via a collapsed fence on the higher ground to the left of the entrance. Like all quarries, they are inherently dangerous and care should be taken when exploring them. The quarry itself is becoming overgrown but moving around it is still fairly easy.

These disused quarries become perfect wildlife sanctuaries and the upper cliffs were full of nesting Crows at the time of my visit. These were being actively buzzed by a Peregrine Falcon, when I first arrived, with the cries of the Peregrine and crows echoing off the cliff faces.

Background

Again, I have been unable to find any real information on this quarry. I assume its main commercial purpose was the supply of Limestone.

Mineralogy

I could find no information regarding the mineralogy.

Minerals Found

The quarry has exposed in places veins of Calcite present in the Limestone. I was unable to find evidence of anything other than Calcite. The calcite appears in massive and crystalline form.

Whilst exploring some bolder areas at the base of the cliffs I found a couple of decent calcite crystals formed on small pedestals on the rock.