South of the village, the Watergrove Mine was active from the 18th century until 1853. Water was a problem over this period; both soughs and pumpingengines were used. In 1837 a Fairbrother beam engine was installed. Its 80 ft chimney stood until 1960. There are hillocks in the north of the parish that mark the sites of other mines. There are also sinkholes present- the most recentappeared in late 2013- believed to result from mine workings. It is probable that mining, whether for lead or other minerals, has been an occupation for the people of Foolow since at least the 15th century. Robert Roworth, of Folowe, a miner, appears as owing £4 to Thomas Calton of Chesterfield, in a legal record of 1470.