Eisteddfod


Lead and Silver Mine

Worked from early to 1861

Jan 1st, 2024 from CPAT by Buddle-Bot

Feb 23rd, 2025 by BertyBasset



North Wales
Bwlchgwyn
53.0645142, -3.1147001
SJ 2540 5250
Private Land
325m
#1,928


Numerous shafts, spoil heaps, and stonework remains. Engine Shaft, located at SJ 2538 5261, is accompanied by the remains of its engine house, which stands at approximately 3 meters in height. To the west of the engine house are additional shafts, including one fenced-off shaft with a possible whim at SJ 2528 5264, potentially Eddy’s Shaft. Another notable shaft mound, possibly Weston Shaft, is situated at SJ 2524 5274, lying north of a historic leat.

At the highest elevations of the site, shaft mounds are scattered around the remains of a rectangular building at SJ 2522 5264. A large shaft remains to the north at SJ 2512 5268, which may be associated with the Twelve Apostles Mine Sett. Other workings, possibly belonging to the Lower Eisteddfod or Caepant setts, include shaft mounds south of Ty Newydd at SJ 2550 5242 and SJ 2549 5245.

The geology of the site consists of Carboniferous Limestone, which outcrops west of the mine. The mineral veins worked in this area, including Union, Crych, Sand, Llewellyn, and an extension of the Ragman Vein, contained galena with minor silver content, along with gangue calcite.



Primarily worked the Red Vein, with recorded activity up to 1861. William Harris, a notable figure in the local mining industry, served as an agent for Eisteddfod from 1863-1865, as well as for the Lower Eisteddfod and Minera Union setts. The Steddfod Company also operated in the same area until 1861, as recorded by Burt (1993).

Several mining companies worked the region. An 1858 plan by William Turner mapped out Bwlchgwyn Mine’s sett, which included areas later worked by Eisteddfod Mine. Further plans from 1863 by Isaac Shone and 1865 by Brenton Symons detailed boundary changes and the involvement of different mining companies, including Minera Union, Twelve Apostles, and Central Minera. Mining returns show that Minera Union had the most significant production figures, operating from 1858-1888, with peak years from 1864-1872. Smaller returns were recorded for Cae Pant from 1867-1868.



Publications (1)

  • Jones, Nigel and Walters, Mark and Frost, Pat (2004); Mountains and Orefields; 208 pages





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