No ARE outing enters an abandoned mine, adit, shaft, or quarry highwall — ever. Bad air, false floors, unstable ribs, and old explosives kill experienced people. Collecting is restricted to surface dumps with documented permission, outside the marked hazard perimeter.
Abandoned Mine and Quarry Stay-Out Standard
The association's absolute rule for underground workings: stay out and stay alive. Surface dumps only, and only with permission.
Scope: Applies to every chapter outing near historic mining or quarry land, with no leader discretion to waive it.
Checklist
Identify and brief all known openings and highwalls before the trip.
Mark a stay-back perimeter around every opening, subsidence, and highwall.
Collect from surface dumps only, with written permission.
Assign a spotter when working below any slope of loose rock.
Report newly found open shafts to the managing agency.