60ft wheelpit survives and is in good condition.
| Year | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1840 | Developed by gentleman John Horridge, a leat and 60ft water wheel taking much of the £10,000 invested. |
| 1845 | Hundred men employed, with very rich ore raised. Horridge involved in breach of contract lawsuit by one of the mine’s nighbours - Evan Pugh. Result of this unknown, but Horridge ended up insolvent. |
| 1847 | Mine down to 60fm, and offered for sale, together with water wheel and winding machine. |
| 1853 | Control of the mine passes to a company involving London promoter and auctioneer T.P. Thomas with involvemnet by the Francises, and opened as Thomas United. Profits of £300 a month were being predicted by Absalom Francis. |
| 1855 | A report by Captain Arthur Waters stated that all the levels were ‘worn out’. |
| 1856 | More capital raised and with new 60ft water wheel began working as Cwmsebon again. |
| 1858 | Promotor and shared dealer J.H. Murchinson (son of geologist Roderick Impey Murchinson) became secretary. |
| 1860 | Being worked as South Darren. No sinking had been done in previous 13 years. |
| 1865 | Mine fortunes on the up. |
| 1868 | Dividend paid out. Drawing shaft down to 60fth, and later became the pumping shaft. New orebody developed. |
| 1876 | Company reformed with £9,000 capital with the intention of replacing the worn out machinery and improving the power situation. |
| 1877 | Auxiliary steam engine operational. |
| 1878 | As metal prices fall, production much improves with 300 tons of lead and copper ore sold annualy for next 8 years. |
| 1885 | Mine down to 130 fathoms |
| 1893 | Final ore returns after several requests to Pryse for reduction in royalties. |
Production since 1845: 9,248 tons lead ore with 173,527 oz silver, 2882 tons copper ore.
External Links
Publications (7)
- (1922); BGS - Mineral Resources of GB (c1920s) Vol XX - Lead and Zinc: Cardiganshire & West Montogmeryshire; 242 pages
- (1925); BGS - Mineral Resources of GB (c1920s) Vol XXX - Copper Ores: Midlands, Lake District & N Wales; 102 pages
- Bick, D.E. (1991); Old Metal Mines of Mid-Wales, The; North of Goginan - Part 3; pp. 8-10
- Hughes, Simon J.S. (1971); BSA Proceedings Vol VI, No 46 - Mineral Field of Mid Wales, The; 8 pages
- Hughes, Simon J.S. (1988); UK Journal of Mines & Minerals No 5 - Decline of Mining in Mid Wales and Prospects of Revival, The; 10 pages
- Liscombe & Co (1880); Mines of Cardiganshire, Montgomereyshire & Shropshire; 52 pages
- Murchison, J.H. (1869); Lead Mines as an Investment; 34 pages
