Last Saturday I visited the Machen Quarry in Wales as part of a joint visit organized by the Russell Society and the Sidcup Lapidary and Mineral Society.

Machen is a working quarry operated by Hanson (part of the HeidelbergCement group), who have a good relationship with official mineral societies such as the Russell Society and the Sidcup Group. In order to collect in Machen you can ONLY visit as part of one of the officially-organized society trips (and you need full protective clothing including high-visibility clothing, hard-hat, safety goggles and steel-capped boots). Please don't call or write asking for individual access, as it just wastes their time having to say "No" all the time. There are plenty of opportunities to visit Machen and similar quarries as a member of the Russell Society or one of the other local clubs.

So, what did I find?

Calcite, Baryte, Galena, Aurichalcite and Hemimorphite.

Have a look at the video...

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