I can answer some of that.

The south adit comes out into a sort of 'park' which I believe was originally a security compound for some of the hydro work. It is grilled and very little water comes out except in wet weather, water level is normally below the ground immediately in front.

North Adit has no visible discharge at all, water must be running below the scree at the side of the lake.

I cannot find any reference to the depth of the workings except a scant mention of "100 feet". (Bick). There is also mention of a 16 h.p. engine at north adit which possibly related to whatever pumping arrangement. What comes across is that all the ore dressing was outside south adit, which of course was all cleared.

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Roy

As you are aware there are two parts of this mine which I have called the eastern and western workings. We expected to find a connection between them but did not so if there was one it may be below adit and thus now flooded or has been lost in a fall.

Each descent is about 300' and consists of multiple pitches with numerous deviations and re-belays and both require a high level of SRT competence from all members of a small team.

The start of the descent of the eastern workings is from the obvious level immediately above a platform which can be seen from the lay-bye below. For the western workings we descended from the end of the brightly coloured open stope although the deads here are not stable. I think there is a better descent from surface but it would need a fair bit of messing around to rig this in the right place although it would make the descent safer.

The descent of the eastern workings is very wet when it rains whilst the western workings have a lot of loose rock which if dislodged were certainly badly injure those below, or worse, since the main stope narrows at depth.

Where Mark is standing is in the North adit. I think the arched section is under the road. I don't recollect seeing any evidence of how the shaft was pumped although for sure it did not come down the stope since it was not straight enough. The photograph in Peter Crew's article in the Caernarvonshire Historical Society Transactions from Gwynedd Archives (XS 621/72) shows buildings immediately outside the adit and one of these has a chimney so there must have been some form of mechanical drive in the adit.

Miles - The workings went at least 110 feet below adit. This is mentioned in the same article by Peter Crew.

Peter Crews article is available on line, just found it:

http://www.academia.edu/5117054/The_copper_mines_of_Llanberis_and_Clogwyn_Goch_1976_ 

Thanks Jon.

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and if you want to save it without agreeing to give all of your personal information to the website :guns: you can save each image by right mouse button "Save Image" and then compile them all into a pdf yourself
;D

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Was having a look at the western workings yesterday. Are we saying the 300' descent is in the gash at around SH 5947 5880 ? Looks impressive in google earth 3d view. I'd have had a look if I knew.

Interestingly, there also appears to be a pit of some sort at SH 5921 5874 (which is near the grid ref given in the Eldon article - but that is clearly wrong).

Robin

Yes it is at the end of the open working with the obvious copper staining. It's about 300', I can dig out the rope lengths if needed.

Hi Jon, won't be going down it, but I'm certainly going to have a peer over the edge.

Cheers, Robin

Hold on when you do since its not the best of edges!

Had a wander up this fine evening. Trundled around and up to the cleft to the north/west. Phone photos uploaded. It does look like a tricky descent. The 'path' up did look quite well trodden which was a bit odd.

JonK and the crazy fella from Roys report are the only accounts I've heard of anyone going down that way? must admit I was obsessed with Llanberis copper mine for some time, I'd be happy to accompany anyone wanting to explore underground on the western side.

Dan
Being frank this is a mine I will not be rushing back to.
Jon

It's on my list of places to visit so I'd be happy to join you Dan, but am a bit busy for the next few weeks...

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It's on my list of places to visit so I'd be happy to join you Dan, but am a bit busy for the next few weeks...

I loved it last time we went there so I'll be rushing back there too. End of July earliest opportunity for me. :thumbsup:

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There are 4 places I've yet to explore in the Eastern working that could lead to new ground.

1. A shaft near the bottom of the 3rd pitch, you head back up the stope and come across what looks like a very deep shaft, it's not been bolted in recent years but I did notice some very old spits.

2. After you abseil down the malachite falls area you swing into a level. There is a shaft on this level that could be abseiled, no evidence of any bolting. It would also be possible to 'dig out' from this level as I don't believe the back fill is very thick here and you can enter the backfilled portal easily (this would make exploration of the lower levels much easier as you'd be straight in to the thick of it).

3. On the same level swing to the opposite side. Probably requires a belay and traverse rigging but the exposure here is mental, it's at least a 40m drop to adit level.

4. Adit level. A series of flooded shafts that I didn't try to negotiate but the passageway must go somewhere? Just needs carefully navigating.

And then on the Western side I have yet to do any exploring.

So loads to go at :lol:

I'd be up for a prod in there.

And you have my sword!

Er... count me in. I have unfinished business there!

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