This is more of a personal request for people's thoughts to help me make up my mind. I would never want to destroy anything of a historical nature per se but letting nature take its course such history will ultimately disappear but at a slower pace......

My late father purchased a mine in the late 80's to preserve and protect what was left if it. In reality it was a bit late as the area was open to the public and both locals and the travelling community had used the buildings as a source of free materials in particular the roofing slates. What is now left 30 years later is still readily identifiable but is disappearing with trees growing through concrete and retaining walls collapsing. There is also concern at least one wall (6+ metre high) of one building may be starting to become unstable and may need to be demolished ( any person visiting would be trespassing but should anything happen it if it fell may have implications). Rather than do this it has been suggested we obtain planning permission to convert what remains into a (rather large) house. This would unfortunately destroy certain aspects but would keep the outline and the original concept. It would not be a money making scheme but would allow us to preserve at least the look of the mine building; something that is fast disappearing in this area save for llywernog.

Any thoughts ? Note previously we have looked at grants but nothing is available and we don't have the facilities to maintain / preserve the area ourselves

In the first instance it would be great if the building could be recorded before it deteriorates further or is lost for good. At its most basic this might involve a photographic survey. A properly measured and drawn survey would be a bonus. If you can deposit the findings in a local archive so they are preserved for posterity so much the better.

It might be worth talking to the Welsh Mines Society.

It might be worth talking to the Welsh Mines Society.

or the Welsh Mines Preservation Trust.
http://welshminestrust.org/ 
Their main contact is Graham Levins who is registered on AditNow as "mwynwr".

If it is possible to convert the remaining structures into a dwelling house and outbuildings without losing too much of the historical interest then I wouldn't see a problem with that. As Tamarmole has already said, you need to survey before doing anything and get expert assistance to identify what's important/significant and what's not so critical.

---

Any thoughts ? Note previously we have looked at grants but nothing is available and we don't have the facilities to maintain / preserve the area ourselves

Have you got any photos of what is left? Might give people an idea of what is possible? Might help in getting some realistic suggestions?

---

If it has to become something else, like a dwelling, I think it is better than it being lost altogether. With a good architect I'm sure enough of the original could be retained to acknowledge the building's heritage. Near me Monckton No. 3 & 4 almost went completely but fortunately a chap with a plant hire business bought part of the site and one of the winding houses survives as a garage and the baths building survives also. He's built a new house between the two and it's all very well kept, landscaped and a credit to the area.
When you look at what was rescued on some of the "Grand Designs" progs (water tower, electricity sub station etc) and the BBCs "Restoration" it can be done, though I appreciate budget could be a problem,
Best of luck with it anyway.

if you have some thing on your property that could be unsafe or if touched could crumble ,cause a fall , however remote then i would advise putting a fence round it with a warning sign, eg open shaft, unsafe building, remember you are also liable for trespassers as well,

the other side of the coin that you should be made aware of is certain groups and societies will look at your old mine buildings /workings and may very well record by different means, what exactly is there, they may also inform the authorities that you have something on your land that deserves protection, this does not necessarily mean the building would be preserved or restored, but you would be finding yourself in the position if the building becomes a scheduled or unscheduled monument that you certainly on your own without permissions and funds would not be able to do anything, as would also be the case for groups and societies , what becomes a protected building/what ever, often is just left because the funds either private or public are not available to do any remedial work, as if often the case in ceredigion, you really need to think exactly what you want to achieve and take some unbiased advice /legal advice.