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. |
External Links
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