Mine at the very head of Cwm Pennant valley

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simonrl
51% (Neutral)
Administration Topic Starter

15 years ago

Can anybody tell me anything about this mine, right at the very head of the Cwm Pennant (much further up than Cwm Ciprwth). I am guessing it will be a copper mine, but the other mines named in the area that are in the database are some way away.

This link will centre the map on it. Walked the Drws y Coed ridge on Saturday and took a detour to look at it. There are building remains, tips and remains of a launder as well as a wheelpit.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Garndolbenmaen,+United+Kingdom&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=47.838189,87.099609&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Garndolbenmaen,+Gwynedd,+United+Kingdom&ll=53.032494,-4.177106&spn=0.002819,0.008234&t=h&z=18

There is also a discerable curving tramway and an incline connecting it to the valley, as well as a row of buildings I presume are barracks.

Will upload some photos later in the week when I've had a chance to sort through them.

my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by

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davel
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

Cwm Dwyfor Mine (lead/copper) SH542506

Bick D E, The Old Copper Mines of Snowdonia 1st Ed. 1982 pp. 30–32 refers.

Dave

AndyC
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Newbie

15 years ago

In fact is it not the wheel from that mine that is on the cover of the book?

Been injured while at work and are not to blame?

Get over it.

davel
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15 years ago

No, that wheel is at Cwm Ciprwth copper mine, which is at SH526478 in a side valley on the west of Cwm Pennant.

Also, I've just remembered that there's an article about the Cwm Dwyfor water supply arrangements in 'Cwm Dwyfor Copper Mine: The Collection and Utilisation of Water', Peter Hughes, Water Power in Mining: Papers presented at the NAMHO Conference at Aberystwyth 2002, pp. 50–51.

A list of historical references to Cwm Dwyfor can be found at http://www.hendrecoed.org.uk/Wilkinson/search/ .

Dave

JohnnearCfon
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15 years ago

Wasn't Cwm Dwyfor also worked in a very limited way for slate too? I am sure I read that somewhere.

grahami
50.2% (Neutral)
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15 years ago

"JohnnearCfon" wrote:
Wasn't Cwm Dwyfor also worked in a very limited way for slate too? I am sure I read that somewhere.

I think the slate etc. is mentioned in Boyd - Narrow Gauge Railways in South Caerns, can't give you a ref though as I've got rid of a lot of my NG books.

Grahami

The map is the territory - especially in chain scale.

davel
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

According to Wilkinson (link in my earlier posting) the slate working is included in Gwynfor Pierce Jones' List of Slate Quarries.

Richards' Gazeteer of Slate Quarries in Wales gives a grid reference of SH541505 and an alternative name of Blaen y Pennant. He describes it as a 1970s trial with an adit and rubbish run but says that all the buildings etc. pertain to the metal mine.

I can't find a mention of it in Boyd's Narrow Gauge Railways in South Caernarvonshire.

Dave

AndyC
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

Shome mishtake shurely?

1970s?

Been injured while at work and are not to blame?

Get over it.

davel
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

Yep

1870s of course. Thanks for pointing that out.

Senility is setting in I'm afraid.

Dave

Wyn
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#10

This photo might make things clearer, the slate trial is on the hill by the barracks. The copper mine shaft etc is in the lower right of the picture

🔗Cwmdwyfor-Copper-Mine-User-Album-Image-001[linkphoto]Cwmdwyfor-Copper-Mine-User-Album-Image-001[/linkphoto][/link]

[tweak]image link tweaked - srl[/tweak]

simonrl
51% (Neutral)
Administration Topic Starter

15 years ago

#11

I take it this shaft is filled / capped?

my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by

james cartwright
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#12

Yes it has run in.There looks to be a open cut east side of the set.looks like there might have been a adit runing under it at some point.

That hole aint gona dig it's self boy[/b]

Lister
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#13

The shaft has a metal grill over it & there is a loud roar of running water from beneath. Not sure how far down the water level is as dident have a torch when walking the area.

'Adventure is just bad planning' Roald Amundsen

james cartwright
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15 years ago

#14

"Lister" wrote:
The shaft has a metal grill over it & there is a loud roar of running water from beneath. Not sure how far down the water level is as dident have a torch when walking the area.

Are you thinking of the shaft at Prince of wales just over the hill that has a grill over it and a chrismas tree growing through it

That hole aint gona dig it's self boy[/b]

Lister
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15 years ago

#15

Quote:

Are you thinking of the shaft at Prince of wales just over the hill that has a grill over it and a chrismas tree growing through it

I know the one you mean but this one has a distinct lack of christmas tree!

🔗Personal-Album-338-Image-52209[linkphoto]Personal-Album-338-Image-52209[/linkphoto][/link]

I thought I was right & not going mad although it did take me 3 hours to track down the pic 😞

.....Lister;~)

'Adventure is just bad planning' Roald Amundsen

james cartwright
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#16

Sorry Lister I didn’t know that shaft was there I thought we were talking about the one in the middle of the site with all the spoil round the edge. Where is the shaft in your pick located?

That hole aint gona dig it's self boy[/b]

simonrl
51% (Neutral)
Administration Topic Starter

15 years ago

#17

"Lister" wrote:
I know the one you mean but this one has a distinct lack of christmas tree!

That tree looked great in my living room last Christmas :)

Only kidding :lol:

Where's that shaft Lister?

my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by

Lister
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

15 years ago

#18

I cant remember exactly but going by the two photographs above & satellite pics i'd say it was here http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=53.033451&lon=-4.1773&z=19&r=0&src=msa
I'm going up here again sometime as Cwm Pennant is described as the most beautiful valley in Wales.

.....Lister;~)

'Adventure is just bad planning' Roald Amundsen

simonrl
51% (Neutral)
Administration Topic Starter

15 years ago

#19

Thanks Lister, will have to take a look next time I'm up there - it's only a small detour when walking the Drws y Coed ridge.

my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by