Underlain by Silurian Frongoch formation mudstones, with three lodes, the main vein striking southwest-northeast. This vein contains a gangue of quartz, chalybite, and calcite, along with galena, sphalerite, and chalcopyrite.
The workings in the area include a number of ancient open cuts on the lode that display traces of copper mineralisation. Trials are also located along this lode. The main workings from the 18th and 19th centuries were carried out through a single shaft and two adits at SN 8662 8397.
In 1865, a waterwheel was used for pumping and crushing, though it was apparently unsuitable for providing power to both operations. Traces of the wheel pit still survive, and the wheel was fed by a leat from a reservoir at SN 8520 8470.
Processing equipment present in the 1860s included a rotary rake, two machine jiggers, and a crusher. The 1886 OS map shows the wall of a possible set of ore bins located to the east of the crusher.
A lot of the site obscured by forestry.
Prehistoric or Roman?
Mining activity dates back to ancient times, with opencuts on the lode showing traces of copper mineralization. The primary workings of the 18th and 19th centuries were developed through a single shaft and two adits at SN 8662 8397.
| Year | Activity |
|---|---|
| c 1708 | Leased by the Mine Adventurers. William Waller writes to his partner Sir Humphrey Mackworth in London ‘We are come to ore at Siglanglace, it is a Foot wide but not yet a firm Rib, and there is another Vein that should meet us in 25 Yards driving … I have sunk the Copper Shaft 11 Yards deep below our Soals to meet the level … It must break through all the rules of Mineing if it prove not a wonderful Rich Work’ The level was 60 yards long with three shafts. |
| 1864 | Worked by Lambert, Gibson & Co, improvement recorded in 12 fm level with lode giving 25cwt of ore per fm. Crushing mill being built. |
| 1865 | Waterwheel proves inadequate for combined pumping and crushing, but 27 tons of ore raised over next three years. |
External Links
Publications (8)
- (1848); BGS - Memoirs Vol II, Part II; 425 pages
- (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. 31-32
- 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, Nigel and Walters, Mark and Frost, Pat (2004); Mountains and Orefields; 208 pages
- Jones, O. T. (1922); Lead and Zinc. The Mining District of North Cardiganshire and West Montgomeryshire
- Thomas, David (1998); Hafren Forest Archaeological Assessment; 96 pages
