ÿþ<HTML LANG=en-GB> <HEAD> <TITLE>The Derelict Miscellany :: Cwmystwyth Mines</TITLE> <META NAME="keywords" CONTENT="derelict, abandoned, mines, mining, cwmystwyth, lead, ruins, tips, bryn copa, industry, wales, ceredigion"> <META NAME="description" CONTENT="A walk around the remains of the Cwmystwyth lead-mining industry"> <META NAME="author" CONTENT="D. A. Gregory"> <META NAME="ROBOTS" CONTENT="ALL"> <link rel="icon" href="favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon"> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon"> </head> <body link="#668b8b" bgcolor="darkgray" text="000000" vlink="#668b8b"> <center> <table width=1044> <tr><td> <table width=1044 cellspacing=0> <tr background="gam_print_ordsvywat-sun-171278517207606.jpg"> <td background="gam_print_ordsvywat-sun-171278517207606.jpg" align=right><A HREF="index.html"><img src=1.jpg border=0></a></td><td background="gam_print_ordsvywat-sun-171278517207606.jpg" align=center> <a indepth="true" STYLE="text-decoration: none" HREF="index.html"><h1>T H E &nbsp D E R E L I C T &nbsp M I S C E L L A N Y</H1></A> R e f l e c t i o n s &nbsp o n &nbsp f o r g o t t e n &nbsp a n d &nbsp a b a n d o n e d &nbsp s p a c e s <br><br> </td><td background="gam_print_ordsvywat-sun-171278517207606.jpg" align=left><A HREF="index.html"><img src=2.jpg border=0></a></td></tr></table> </td></tr> <tr><td bgcolor="#EEE9E9"> <center> <a indepth="true" STYLE="text-decoration: none" href="http://derelictmisc.org.uk/index.html">{home} </a> &nbsp &nbsp <a indepth="true" STYLE="text-decoration: none" href="http://derelictmisc.org.uk/menu2.html">{menu} </a> &nbsp &nbsp <a indepth="true" STYLE="text-decoration: none" href="aboot.html">{about} </a> &nbsp &nbsp <a indepth="true" STYLE="text-decoration: none" href="cont.html">{contact} </a> &nbsp &nbsp <a indepth="true" STYLE="text-decoration: none"href="http://twitter.com/DerelictMisc" target="blank">{twitter}</a> &nbsp &nbsp <a indepth="true" STYLE="text-decoration: none" href="disc.html">{disclaimer}</a> &nbsp &nbsp <a href="#" STYLE="text-decoration: none" onClick="window.open('veh/index.html','', 'width=589,height=577,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;"> {rusty old cars}</A> &nbsp &nbsp <a href="#" STYLE="text-decoration: none" onClick="window.open('misc/menu.html','', 'width=870,height=482,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;"> {miscellany}</A> &nbsp &nbsp <a indepth="true" STYLE="text-decoration: none" href="links.html">{links}</a> &nbsp &nbsp <a indepth="true" STYLE="text-decoration: none" href="contrib.html">{contribute} </a> </td></tr><tr><td bgcolor=#EEE9E9><table width=100% bgcolor="#EEE9E9"> <td width=13></td><td> <center> <br><u><font size=5>Mwyngloddiau Plwm a Sinc Cwmystwyth</font> <br>Cwmystwyth Lead and Zinc Mines</u><br></center> <b>What:</B> Remains of lead and zinc mining operations <BR> <b>Where:</B> Cwmystwyth, Ceredigion <BR> <b>Built:</b> Various: earliest workings are Bronze age, most buildings are Victorian <BR> <b>Architect:</b> Unknown <BR> <b>Abandoned:</b> 1921 <BR> <b>Listed:</b> Scheduled Ancient Monument <BR><b>Visited:</b> 2008<BR> <b>Last Known Condition:</b> In ruins, largely stable <br><b>Page Updated:</b> February 2011<BR> <p align=left><br> Here, high up in the Cambrian Mountains, the young Afon Ystwyth flows through a deep glacial valley. Ancient volcanic processes have riddled the hills hereabouts with rich mineral deposits, and Humans have exploited these resources since the Bronze Age, 4,000 years ago - Bryn Copa, above the valley is one of the most important Bronze Age copper mining sites in Britain. The result of millennia of mining, quarrying, hushing and reworking with antler pick, pickaxe, explosives and water power is a stange landscape of desolate beauty. The valley below is littered with grey-brown spoil, from which buildings rise, some half buried like the remains of some long lost civilisation. This landscape is a mammoth monument to mankind's appetite for natural resources, an appetite which can quite literally move mountains if the returns are high enough. <br><br> <center> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/PIC_0137.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/PIC_0137.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/PIC_0127.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/PIC_0127.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/yst.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/yst.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/PIC_0004.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/PIC_0004.jpg" border=1> </A> <font size=2> <br>Left to right: [1] Looking down the valley from Graig y Ddalfa [2] Looking up the valley from below Graig y Ddalfa to towards the main workings [3] Remains at Ystwyth Mine just across the valley. This was less successful than Cwmystwyth, and was never developed to the same extent, apparently having closed by the turn of the century. [4] The Valley Road.</font> <br><br> </center> The Bronze age workings on Bryn Copa are the earliest remains here, consisting of opencast workings to the east of later workings. Because it got dark before I was able to reach these workings, this page deals with the 18th, 19th and 20th century workings in the valley. This area of later workings is characterised by spoil tips and long, deep channels, the latter mostly from 18th Century hushing, a process which involves directing water from storage reservoirs down the mountainside to expose veins of ore. <br> By 1844 most of the easily accessible veins of Galena (an ore of lead) had been worked out and it became neccessary to sink deep shafts and adits to pursue the lodes underground. This paid off, and by 1850 production had reached in excess of 1,000 tons per year and richer lodes were soon found, the mine reaching fifty-four fathoms below surface in the 1860s. Lead mining continued into the twentieth century, but was eventually killed by cheap imports. Renewed demand for zinc (a metal found alongside the lead ores), however, saw the mine re-open when the reworking of the tips and underground workings became an attractive prospect. <br><br> <center> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('http://www.spirit-of-the-miners.org.uk/gallery-image.php?src=lluniau/cwmystwythminemill1914.jpg&caption=Cwmystwyth%20Mine%20Works&text=Cwmystwyth+Mine+Works+1914','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes,status=yes,toolbar=yes,menubar=yes');return false;" > <img alt="." height=200 src="industrial/cwmystwythminemill1914.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('http://www.spirit-of-the-miners.org.uk/gallery-image.php?src=lluniau/cwmystwyth_mill.jpg&caption=The%20old%20Cwmystwyth%20Mill&text=Cwmystwyth+Mill+-+now+demolished','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes,status=yes,toolbar=yes,menubar=yes');return false;" > <img alt="." height=200 src="industrial/cwmystwyth_mill.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('http://www.spirit-of-the-miners.org.uk/gallery-image.php?src=lluniau/cwmystwyth_barracks.jpg&caption=The%20old%20Cwmystwyth%20barracks&text=The+old+Cwmystwyth+barracks+-+now+demolished','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes,status=yes,toolbar=yes,menubar=yes');return false;" > <img alt="." height=200 src="industrial/cwmystwyth_barracks.jpg" border=1> </A> <br><font size=2>Left to right: [1] The works in 1914 [2] The mill building before demolition [3] Old place barracks before demolition. Click pictures to view originals on the Spirit of the Miners website.</font> <br><br> </center> A large investment was made, and it was probably at this time that most of the buildings, tramways and inclines standing today were constructed. The venture was to prove unsuccessful, however, with only sporadic working interspersed with periods of closure until the mine was forced to close for good in in 1921. The prices recieved for ore had proved insufficient to justify the investment and prospectors never returned to the valley again. <br><br> <center> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm4.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm4.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/Copyofcwm3.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/Copyofcwm3.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm1.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm1.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm2.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm2.jpg" border=1> </A> <br><font size=2>Left to right: [1] The ruin of Nevill Place, probably a residence of families or higher-ups within the company [2] Nevill Place interior looking west [3] Nevill Place interior looking north [4] Nevill Place end wall showing fireplaces.</font> <br><br> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/Copyofcwm6.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/Copyofcwm6.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/Copyofcwm8.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/Copyofcwm8.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/Copyofcwm7.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/Copyofcwm7.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/Copyofcwm9.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/Copyofcwm9.jpg" border=1> </A> <br><font size=2>Left to right: [1] Old Place miners' barracks. This was demolished some time in the last 20 years and was originally a massive structure with four storeys [2] Frontage showing multiple entrances [3] 'Rubble glazing' and [4] A sough draining into the Ystwyth from Gill's Lower Level.</font> <br><br> </center> Most of the miners seem to have lived in the barracks, a four storey structure standing beside the road. Further accommodation was provided in the form of self-contained cottages, presumably for families or higher-ups within the company. The main barracks were demolished at some point in the last 20 years and now only the lower storey remains. <br><br> <center> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm10.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm10.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm11.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm11.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm12.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm12.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm13.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm13.jpg" border=1> </A> <br><font size=2>Left to right: [1] A building of unidentified purpose near the entrance to Alderson's Level [2] The same building from the River [3] The rubbish filled interior of the building and [4] The remains of the tramway preserved in-situ by having had a road built on top.<br><br></FONT> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm26.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm26.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm25.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm25.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm24.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm24.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm23.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm23.jpg" border=1> </A> <br><font size=2>Left to right: [1] Unidentified building, probably part of the mill complex [2] Another view of same [3] Probable chimney base and [4] An unidentified structure with an incline visible in the background.</font> <br><br> </center> The foundations of the main mill stand at the centre of the site. Formerly these were covered by a large corrugated iron structure, but this was recently demolished, probably at the same time as the barracks. When the mill was working, ore came in via a tramway supported by the two pillars still visible at the centre of the stone structure and was processed through various crushing, separating and washing machinery on three different levels. Since the greater part of the structure has been removed, work has been undertaken to shore up and make safe the ruin, which now provides a viewing platform for tourists. <br><br> <center> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm14.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm14.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm16.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm16.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm17.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm17.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm18.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm18.jpg" border=1> </A><font size=2> <br>Left to right: [1] The Mill. [2] The lower dressing floor [3] one of the chutes between levels [4] More chute wreckage.</font> <br><br> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm19.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm19.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm20.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm20.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm21.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm21.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/PIC_0090.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/PIC_0090.jpg" border=1> </A> <br><font size=2>Left to right: [1] Looking up an ore chute [2] The middle floor showing modern safety and consolidation work [3] one of the chutes [4] Probable base for corrugated iron walls.</font> <br><br> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm52.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm52.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm53.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm53.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/221099570_61e6dd75ea_o.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/221099570_61e6dd75ea_o.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm55.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm55.jpg" border=1> </A><font size=2> <br>Left to right: [1] Plant shed site, probably originally a corrugated iron building behind the cottages housing steam or diesel plant [2] Mounting blocks and bolts [3] More workers' cottages [4] A fireplace in the same. </font> <br><br> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm28.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm28.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm30.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm30.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm31.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm31.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm32.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm32.jpg" border=1><font size=2> </A> <br>Left to right: [1] Crusher House [2, 3 & 4] Crusher House interiors. </font> <br><br> </center> The areas beyond the main works are riddled with shafts and adits. Most of these have been gated or fenced off by the local authority, but a few are still open. These are, I need hardly say, potentially dangerous, and on no account should they be entered without permission, the correct equipment and preferably a good deal of experience. Pictures taken by experienced cavers of the inside of the mine show that rockfalls are common and much of the mine is flooded. Skirting around these workings, however, there are plenty of other, safer remains to explore. <br><br> <center> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm33.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm33.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm34.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm34.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm35.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm35.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/PIC_0075.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/PIC_0075.jpg" border=1> </A><FONT SIZE=2> <br>Left to right: [1 & 2] Francis's Shaft and associated stonework - apparently it is common in these parts to block dangerous open shafts with rubbish, or in this case, dead Ford Sierras [3] Nant Y Gwaith Stream and hushings [4] A house called Court.</FONT> <br><br> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm37.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm37.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/PIC_0070.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/PIC_0070.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/PIC_0069.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/PIC_0069.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm38.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm38.jpg" border=1> </A><FONT SIZE=2> <br>Left to right: [1] Inside Court 2) Fireplace [3] Front wall showing remnants of paint and plaster [4] The entrance to Bonsall's Level Fawr. <br><br></FONT> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm39.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm39.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/PIC_0056.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/PIC_0056.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/PIC_0061.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/PIC_0061.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm40.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm40.jpg" border=1> </A> <br><FONT SIZE=2>Left to right: [1] Looking down Bonsall's Level Fawr - the adit is gated about 3' in and beyond the gate the tunnel runs for about 7' before terminating in this blockage of sandbags and earth [2] Nant Watcyn [3] An unidentified building below Taylor's Shaft [4] The ungated entrance to Pengeilan Level</FONT> <br><br> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm41.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm41.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm49.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm49.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm43.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm43.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm42.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm42.jpg" border=1> </A> <FONT SIZE=2> <br>Left to right: [1] Inside Pengeilan Level - the tunnel continues into the distance, but being ill-equipped for underground adventures and in no mood to put several thousand tons of rock between me and fresh air, I did not venture further. [2] Paved surface surrounded by curving wall, of unknown purpose, but possibly one of the earlier structures on site. [3] Nant yr Onnen [4] Unidentified shaft beside Nant yr Onnen.</FONT> <br><br> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm46.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm46.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm45.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm45.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm48.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm48.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm59.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm59.jpg" border=1> </A><FONT SIZE=2> <br>Left to right: [1] Looking down an incline [2] Drum house at the head of the incline. [3] Unidentified structure by the head of the incline [4] Another unidentified structure set into the hillside beside the tramway. <br><br></FONT> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/PIC_0112.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/PIC_0112.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/yst1.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/yst1.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/PIC_0147.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/PIC_0147.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm50.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm50.jpg" border=1> </A> <br><FONT SIZE=2>Left to right: [1] Pugh's Shaft [2] Entrance to Mitchell's Level [3] Looking into Mitchell's Level which is gated about 2' 6" in but appears to continue unblocked for some way. [4] Overview of main works area with from left to right, the crusher house, the mill, row of houses and plant shed. <br><br></FONT> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/cwm58.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/cwm58.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/PIC_0135.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/PIC_0135.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/PIC_0138.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/PIC_0138.jpg" border=1> </A> <a href="#" onClick="window.open('industrial/PIC_0076.jpg','', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no');return false;" > <img alt="." height=174 width=232 src="industrial/PIC_0076.jpg" border=1> </A> <FONT SIZE=2> <br>Left to right: [1] Water tank [2] Inside the tank [3] Unidentified stone structure, possibly a support for a pipeline [4] Waste rock and unidentified piece of iron. <br><br></FONT> </center> <br> Since the mine closing in 1921 and the discovery of the Bronze-age workings, the valley has become a popular destination for the more adventurous tourists who come to this area to explore the ruins. The AA has even listed the valley road as one of the most scenic in the World, and it's not so hard to see why, what with spectacular views and 4,000 years of history on display all around. <br>Nature may not be as diverse as elsewhere (the toxic metal residues in the spoil tips mean that the landscape may never be entirely re-colonised by vegetation), a few hardy species are now making an appearance and the valley has become a place of beauty and tranquility after the levels are closed and the mills have fallen silent. <br><br> <font size=1></b><center> <U>SOURCES OF INFORMATION</U> <br> <br> Richards, Meleri, "Cwmystwyth Ysbryd y Mwynwyr - Spirit of the Miners" retrieved 23/9/08 from http://www.spirit-of-the-miners.org.uk/cwmystwyth.php <br><br> Davis, M., Gwilt, A. and Timberlake, S. "A Copper Age/ Early Bronze Age gold disc from Banc Tynddol (Penguelan, Cwmystwyth Mines, Ceredigion)" in <i>Antiquity</i> Vol. 78, No. 302, December 2004. <br><br> Cooper, I. "Cwmystwyth Lead Mine" retrieved 23/9/08 from http://www.sbury8.freeserve.co.uk/mines1/cwmystwyth/cwmystwyth.htm <br> <br> <center></font><b> <a href="index.html">Home..</a></b><br> </td><td width=13></td></tr></table> </TD></TR><TR><TD bgcolor="#EEE9E9" ALIGN=CENTER> <font size=1>Derelict Miscellany. Website &amp; content Copyright D. A. Gregory 2005-Present unless stated to be otherwise.</font> </td></tr></table> </font> </body> </html>