Last week, Year 12 chemistry students travelled to the Peak District to explore the fascinating links between chemistry and mining.

The trip began on Thursday morning with a coach ride to Ecton Mine, set against the stunning backdrop of the Peak District. Guides at the site introduced students to the rich history of the area, which had been mined for copper from around 3,500 BCE until the Victorian era, when the last mines closed in 1889.

A guided walk up the hillside took students to a spoil heap, where they handpicked rocks to analyse. Armed with hammers, they broke open samples to uncover small pieces of ore hidden inside. Back at the mine’s lab workshop, students carried out chemical tests on their samples, identifying the presence of copper, calcium, iron and lead.

The walk also offered a chance to spot local flora and fauna, and a few students even attempted to befriend the grazing cows along the way!

The highlight for many came next: a journey underground into the mine itself. In hard hats and headlamps, students navigated narrow shafts that revealed just how cramped

working conditions would have been for miners.

Later, students worked in smaller groups to calculate the reacting masses needed to produce their own black powder (gunpowder), once used by miners to blast through rock. The day ended with a bang as each group’s black powder was tested in a controlled explosion.

The trip concluded with a stroll through the nearby village of Eyam - famous for its role in preventing the spread of the plague - and even a few lively games of Uno.

Ecton Mine is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, and the dedicated team of volunteers made the experience unforgettable. The trip was not only an engaging way to see chemistry in action but also an opportunity to learn more about geology and the social history of mining.