An E-W lead and zinc bearin vein in the Silurian Frongoch Formation.
Cross-cut adit at SN 9649 8216. 3 shafts are located at SN 9703 8226, SN 9715 8226, SN 9738 8221. Remains of Engine house, which is in bad state of repair.
| Year | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1771 | Mines for lead, copper, barytes, calamine and blende leased by Wrexham gentlemen. |
| 1802 | Lease passes to John Lawrence of Shropshire. 500fm crosscut adit driven from below farm intercepting lode after 250fm, continued to drain the 30fm deep workings. Shallow bottom boats used to remove ore, then mule train to Aberystwyth, 30 miles distant. |
| 1855 | After a gap in production mine starts again, but is soon dormant again. |
| 1864 | Brynpostig Lead Mining Company formed by Black Country businessmen, including Job Taylor who was soon to influence local mining developments. |
| c1865 | John Taylor persuades Captain John Kitto from Great Laxey Mines to take charge as manager. London sharebroker Augustus Ross arranges captial. Due to water issues, mine had not been tried far below adit, so Kitto commences work on Engine Shaft with second hand rotative engine being sourced from one of the commitee’s Staffordshire colliery. |
| 1868 | £350 profit made during first half of year, heavy rains drowned the mine over winter, necessitating installing a second engine for pumping. |
| 1870 | Sinking proceeds to 60fm level, but the lode proves poor at depth and company soon folds. |
| 1874 | Llanidloes Lead Mining Company takes over with Kitto, who was now Mayor of Llanidloes in charge. |
| 1875 | 50 inch Cornish Engine acquired, and at work, although pump rod snapped - and event portayed as good by the chairman ‘as a not unmixed blessing because it has thoroughly tested the strength and stability of our engine house’ Later, good ore is discovered in a winze below the 48fm level. |
| 1877 | 84fm level below adit reached. |
| 1878 | No further good ore discoveries and cost of coal, together with falling metal prices closed the mine for the final time. |
Unlikely location on a marshy plateau.
External Links
Publications (6)
- (1922); BGS - Mineral Resources of GB (c1920s) Vol XX - Lead and Zinc: Cardiganshire & West Montogmeryshire; 242 pages
- Bick, D.E. (1991); Old Metal Mines of Mid-Wales, The; West Montgomeryshire, Aberdovey, Dinas Mawddwy & Llangynog - Part 4; pp. 48-50
- Foster-Smith, J. R. (1978); Mines of Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire, The
- Jones, J. A. & Moreton, N. J. M. (1977); Mines and Minerals of Mid-Wales, The
- Jones, O. T. (1922); Lead and Zinc. The Mining District of North Cardiganshire and West Montgomeryshire
- Murchison, J.H. (1869); Lead Mines as an Investment; 34 pages
