Cwm Orog

aka Mwnglawdd Cwm Orog


Lead, Zinc, and Barytes Mine

Worked from 1706 to 1918

Jan 1st, 2024 from Cambrian by Buddle-Bot

Feb 16th, 2025 by BertyBasset



North Wales
Llangynog
52.834816, -3.4088981
SJ 0519 2730
Open Access
440m
#298


Worked a main ENE-WSW vein with lead and zinc mineralisation, along with barytes cross-courses running north-south. Extensive workings include opencuts and stopes on the northern slopes of Craig Rhiwarth, as well as surface trials at Pencraig, likely representing early prospecting efforts. There are ten levels, including adits below the northern scarp of Craig Rhiwarth, and a single shaft at the top of the hill.

Transport infrastructure was well-developed, featuring a unique three-phase system: contour tramways connected to long ore slides, an incline tramway, and an aerial ropeway. Earthwork traces of tramway beds are visible at many adits, with remains of rails still present at the highest level entrance. Power was supplied by two leats from Nant Bryn Mawr, feeding a waterwheel that drove the crusher and buddle.

Processing remains include a crusher house, stone breaker platform, settling tanks, a single buddle, and a jigger shed. Ore chutes and bins at the tramway heads are directly associated with washing and picking floors, each constructed with distinct designs.

A patchy mine where ore failed at depth.



Year Activity
c1747 50fm adit driven eastwards on lode from crosscut to come underneath old, apparantly productive workings. Found to be devoid of ore.
1751 2 men driving west found some ore.
1769 Mining ends.
1840s Mine at work.
1872 Number of Birmingham businessmen start company, including auctionerr, hosier, grocer and solicitor. Not much came of it.
1882 42 men at work.
1898-1900 Owned by Vielle Montagne Company.
1907-1909 Mine active again, aerial ropeway probably installed at this time.


Publications (9)

  • (1848); BGS - Memoirs Vol II, Part II; 425 pages
  • (1922); BGS - Mineral Resources of GB (c1920s) Vol XXIII - Lead & Zinc: Pre-Carboniferous Shropshire & North Wales; 111 pages
  • Bick, D.E. (1991); Old Metal Mines of Mid-Wales, The; West Montgomeryshire, Aberdovey, Dinas Mawddwy & Llangynog - Part 5; pp. 34-36
  • Foster-Smith, J. R. (1978); Mines of Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire, The
  • Jones, Nigel and Walters, Mark and Frost, Pat (2004); Mountains and Orefields; 208 pages
  • Lewis (1968); title unknown - Cwm Orog Mine
  • Williams, C. J. & Bick, D. (1992); List of metalliferous mine sites of industrial archaeological importance
  • Williams, R. A. (1985); Old Mines of the Llangynog District, The
  • Wren, W. J. (1968); Tanat Valley, its railways and industrial archaeology, The





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