| Year | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1756 | Mine with this name leased by Lewis Morris for prospecting. This may not be at current site* |
| 1810 | * S.R. Meyrick, a Cardiganshire historian noted that two sites called Llywernog were at work in the valley, one by Sir Thomas Bonsall, one by William Poole. Referring to both he says ‘they were discovered about 40 years ago but were so overpowered by water that they could not be worked. Hoever and engine (waterwheel) has been erected on each mine and the water cleared off. They consist of lead ore; quartz and black jack or zink ore’. Pool’s in equated with the later day Llywernog, whereas Bonsall’s is probaby Powell Mine, which is across the main road. Bonsall’s mine is a series of deep open cuts about 30m long in good ore. |
| 1830 | Bonsall’s whilst employing 50 men for a time, closed. |
| 1840s | Lease held by Robert Dunkino of Llanelly. Whilst looking for new ventures, interest taken by the Francises, who formed Rheidiol United Mines to manage Llywernog as well as Rhiwrugos and Nanglas, both some distance away. George Francis as manafer, Absalom Francis as director. Not much work done. |
| 1858 | Prospectus appears stating depth was only 30fm from surface. |
| 1864 | Report by Matthew Francis states depth of 40fm reached with 40ft x 4ft water wheel for pumping and crushing. |
| 1878 | Mining ceases. |
| 1907 | Scottish Cardigan Mines Ltd worked the mine for couple of years with no output. |
Although in later years a steam engine was installed, it proved too expensive to run. Llywernog and neighbouring mines banded together to build a long leat from north of Ponterwyd. This was accompanied by the installation of a 50 foot water wheel that was visible from the main road until the 1950s.
Worked together with Powell at various times. Combined production for the mines was 3,813 tons lead ore, 560 tons blende.
External Links
Publications (9)
- (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; South of Goginan - Part 2; pp. 16-18
- Hughes, S.J.S.; (1990); UK Jnl. Mines and Minerals, 8; Llywernog Mine and Museum; pp. 40-37
- Hughes, Simon J.S. (1976); Cardiganshire - Its Mines and Miners; 52 pages
- Hughes, Simon J.S. (1990); UK Journal of Mines & Minerals No 8, Autumn - Llywernog Mine and Museum, Dyfed, Wales; 8 pages
- Jones, Nigel and Walters, Mark and Frost, Pat (2004); Mountains and Orefields; 208 pages
- Liscombe & Co (1880); Mines of Cardiganshire, Montgomereyshire & Shropshire; 52 pages
- Murchison, J.H. (1869); Lead Mines as an Investment; 34 pages
- Tucker, D.G. (1977); Sacking of the Francises by John Taylor 1841-2, The; 5 pages (14-18)
