A bid to get a Guinness world record for the deepest underground rave near Blaenau Ffestiniog has caused outrage.

On Thursday watch company G-SHOCK will attempt to stage the world's deepest underground rave at Cwmorthin slate mine.

Roni Size will perform, and G-SHOCK say equipment will send the music into the mine and capture the way its frequencies move through slate, mud and water.

Sharing his concerns and those of others in the community, Darren Edwards said comments online point to fears for people’s safety getting down the mine, loose slates, and stones and rocks dislodging through vibrations from music and dancing. 

“People are also unhappy because local men lost their lives in the quarry in the past,” Darren said.

“If anything goes wrong, it could become a huge disaster, and the location is not ideal for rescue/emergency services to get there in a rush.

“Temperatures will also be very cold. 

“Common sense tells anyone who knows about quarries how unsafe they can become in an instant.

“This could put Blaenau Ffestiniog on the map for all the wrong reasons.”

Mine operator Go Below said they "hold deep respect for the industrial heritage of Cwmorthin”, and “actively conserve artefacts and historical features as part of daily maintenance against the harsh underground environment”.

“This event serves as an opportunity to share the history of the quarrymen with attendees and a wider global audience via the subsequent broadcast.

“Music and culture have long been part of Welsh quarry communities. Quarries were not just places of work, they were centres of community and culture, with quarrymen's bands, singing, poetry and Eisteddfodau forming part of life around the industry.

“The event will bring different music and a new audience into that environment with deliberate connection to its history. The mine itself is an important part of the experience: its depth, geology, history and unique acoustics are incorporated into the project. It isn't just a rave, it's a great way of using music to explore acoustics while bringing people together to experience this remarkable environment and shine a light on the mine and the rich history of Welsh slate.

"Access to the mine is a routine operational route for Go Below, where thousands of visitors safely complete trips every year under our established safety framework. In addition to our standard operational risk assessments, a dedicated pre-event reconnaissance trip was conducted with Go Below staff and sound engineers to evaluate and mitigate any risks unique to this event.

“All participants will be guided and accompanied by externally qualified Mine Leaders. Full certified PPE will be issued and worn throughout. Go Below staff on-site are fully trained in emergency first aid. Direct communication lines are maintained between the surface and the mine, and the chamber is fully equipped with fire safety and environmental monitoring systems.”

G-SHOCK said: “The World's Deepest Underground Rave is deliberately a small, strictly ticketed event, with places allocated by ballot and attendance capped at a level Go Below can safely accommodate. Access is restricted to those on the approved guestlist who have completed medical and fitness declarations and meet Go Below’s health and safety requirements.”