Initial extraction via series of crawl and chambers commenced in the Bronze Age. These working were subsequently lost, and work re-commenced in the 17C as the Old Mine and New Mine (worked via Pyllau Shaft) on land belonging respectivelly to the Bishop of Bangor and the Mostyn family. The Ty Gwyn Mine subsequently worked veins at the eastern end of the Orme. The antiquity of the workings were recognised, but attributed to the Romans rather than the Bronze Age. Several shafts and adits were commenced including Ty Gwyn Adit, Penmorfa Adit, Vivian Shaft, Treweek Shaft and Roman Shaft. In the 1970s whilst investigating a filled in area with the intention of building a car park, the true extent of the workings and its Bronze Age origin were recognised, and the painstaking job of clearing the workings commenced, culminating with the Visitor Centre and Underground Tour.

Great Orme Exploration Society, Great Orme Mines (showcave)