The Force Crag vein, running in an east-west direction, has been extensively mined at the head of Coledale Valley above Braithwaite. Initially, the upper levels produced baryte and psilomelane but weren’t economically viable until the 1860s when baryte became profitable. In contrast, the lower levels yielded sphalerite and some galena. Mining activity has occurred intermittently since the early 18th century, continuing into the 20th century, with the last operations undertaken by The New Coledale Mining Company from 1984 to the early 1990s, during which several remarkable specimens were unearthed.

A noteworthy find in the 1990s, on the 650 level off the Laporte incline, unveiled a collection of supergene minerals, including acanthite, anglesite, well-formed cerussite crystals, langite, lautenthalite, linarite, serpierite, native silver, and exceptionally fine pyromorphite crystals ranging from pink to brown in color, measuring up to 2 centimeters. For further details, refer to the UK Journal of Mines & Minerals - Issue No.18. Additionally, other minerals discovered at Force Crag include lustrous sphalerite and galena, often associated with dolomite, yellow fluorite, and sizable baryte crystal clusters measuring up to 30 centimeters. Although old references to stolzite exist, they have yet to be confirmed. The mine is now designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

• 1839 Sublet by John Tebay to Messr Airey & Cowper
• 1848 Messrs Cowper, Walton & Dowthwaite
• 1859-1863 Jacob Walton & Co.
• 1864-1866 John P. Walton & Co.
• 1867-1875 J. Straughton & Co.
• 1876-1879 Force Crag Mining Co.
• 1880 Force Crag Lead & Barytes Co.
• 1905-1906 G.G. Blackwell & Co. Ltd
• 1907-1910 Cumberland Mines Ltd
• 1912-1915 Coledale Syndicate
• 1916-1923 Braithwaite Mines
• 1930 Derwent Fells Mineral Company
• 1939 Tampimex Oil Products
• c1950 Laporte Chemicals
• 1960 McKechnie Brothers
• 1967 Force Crag Mines (UK) Limited
• 1978 Braithwaite Mining Limited
• 1984 New Coledale Mining Ltd.

No mine acess although National Trust do hold an yearly open day where the Processing Mill is open. For next open day, see Open Day Details

Part of mine is geological SSSI
Part of surrounding site is ecological SSSI