Cwmystwyth Metal Mines
What are the Cwmystwyth Metal Mines
The Cwmystwyth metal mines is the largest metal mining area in Mid Wales and it is located between Devils Bridge and the Elan Valley complex of dams near Rhayader.
You will need to travel east from Devils Bridge along the B4574 and then drive through the small hamlet of Cwmystwyth and about a mile later will have arrived at the remains of the metal mines.
History of the metal mines.
The history of Cwmystwyth metal mines is a long and complex one, dating back to at least the Bronze Age. The mines were worked intermittently over the centuries, but it was not until the 18th century that they began to be exploited on a large scale. The mines reached their peak of activity in the mid-19th century, but they began to decline in the late 19th century and were finally abandoned in the early 20th century.
The Bronze Age up to the Roman occupation.
The earliest evidence of mining at Cwmystwyth comes from a series of opencast workings on Copa Hill. These workings have been dated to the Bronze Age, and they are thought to have been used to extract copper ore. These workings on Copa Hill where the largest open cast mine of its type at the time. The mines were also worked in the Roman period, and there is evidence of Roman-era mining shafts and workings. Apparently you can tell by the shape of the coffin levels the ones that the had been dug out during the first three centuries AD by the romans.
The Middle Ages
In the Middle Ages, the mines were worked by the Cistercian monks of Strata Florida Abbey. The monks used the lead ore from the mines to make coins and other metal objects. The mines were also worked in the 16th and 17th centuries, but they were not particularly productive during this period.
Mining during the Industrial Revolution.
The mines began to be exploited on a large scale in the 18th century. The first major mine to be opened was the Comet Mine, which was opened in 1715. The Comet Mine was followed by a number of other mines, including the Cwmystwyth Mine, the Esgair Mwyn Mine, and the Copa Hill Mine.
The mines reached their peak of activity in the mid-19th century. At this time, there were over 1,000 people employed in the mines. The mines produced lead, silver, and zinc, and they were a major source of income for the local community.
The decline of the mines.
The mines began to decline in the late 19th century. This was due to a number of factors, including the depletion of the ore reserves, the increasing cost of production, and the competition from foreign mines. The mines were finally abandoned in the early 20th century.
Today at Cwmystwyth.
Today, the Cwmystwyth metal mines are a popular tourist destination. The mines are open to the public, and there are a number of walking trails that lead to the mine sites. The mines are also a popular spot for rock climbing and other outdoor activities.The Cwmystwyth metal mines are an important part of the history of Ceredigion. The mines played a major role in the development of the local economy, and they continue to be a popular tourist destination.
What will you be able to see at Cwmystwyth today.
Cwmystwyth is an easy place to get to. It is open to the public and there is no entry fee. Most of the buildings that were used during the times the mines were open have been taken down for safety. A lot of them them still have the base structure so that you can see what was were during that time.
You will be able to see many of the shaft and coffin level entrances, most have been filled in but some are open with just a metal or wooden gate stopping you going in there.
You can have a guided tour of the mines if you wish lasting from an hour and up to four hours underground. There is a labyrinth of tunnels and shafts measuring about twenty six miles in that hill and I would not recommend that you venture inside the mountain unless you are being guided by a professional guide who knows what they are doing.
Mid Wales Tours and Cwmystwyth.
Mid Wales Tours travel through Cwmystwyth on their tours of Mid Wales and if you would like to see and hear more about the metal mines in Cwmystwyth and the rest of Mid Wales then get in touch and come on a tour.
