The implosion

...of the South Main shaft will happen tomorrow. The mine shaft, sunk in 1939, is less than a kilometre east of our house. Here's a photograph of what the South Main headframe looked like all the years I've lived here held against its current pre-implosion state.


A press release in Friday's paper details the sequence of events and approximate times:

5:15 a.m. - Commence road closures and secure the site at 350m radius.
5:25 a.m. - Blaster in charge will check all guard positions via radio for security concerns
5:29 a.m. - Blaster in charge will make final security check and go to radio silence. One minute warning will be sounded with three short blasts from the siren. From this time on only security personnel may interrupt the blast due to a breach in security.
5:29 a.m. - 10 second warning will be sounded with one long blast from the siren followed by audible 10 second countdown.
5:30 a.m.- Blast imminent.
5:35 a.m. - Blaster in charge will check blast area for any danger and will then disband security personnel.

Yesterday a crew was going around putting up signs. They were pounding one in a few feet behind us as I took this pic. It was eerie.

So tomorrow morning, before 5 a.m., people will make their way to the designated viewing areas to watch this landmark go down. I don't know if I'll be among them or if I'll stay home and calm the cat. I'll likely just sit here until the dust settles.