The Peak District Mines Historical Society now manages the site and has undertaken much restoration work.

[1][2] Between productive, profitable times, there were closures for several years in 1793 and in 1835 because of floods, disputes and drops in the price of lead.

The underground channel used to drain floodwater from the mines (the sough) was built from 1873 to 1881 and runs about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) to its outlet into the River Wye to the north (carrying several million litres of water per day).

[1] A reproduction horse gin has been set up at the Red Soil mine shaft, where the original horse-powered winding gear was used to lift lead ore up to the surface.

[2] There is visitor access to the site along footpaths from Sheldon (about 500m north) and from lanes to the west, south and east.