Information on Llanaelhaearn manganese mine.

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Cymraes Swil
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

13 years ago

Does anyone have any information on the Llanaelhaearn manganese mines, were they extensive and is there any underground workings worth exploring? 🙂

'Don't go in there its dangerous, a little boy just like you went in and a piece of slate fell off the roof and cut his head straight off' - Farmer in North Wales, 1992

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davel
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

According to The Manganese Mines of North Wales (British Mining No. 14), C.G. Down, 1980:

Quote:

They are unusual in being almost entirely underground, with dozens of small adits and relatively little opencast working ... they are far more extensive than would be imagined. The beds dip at about 30° and most levels have collapsed. One or two remain in good condition, typically 3 ft 6in wide and 4 ft 6in - 7 ft high ...

I've not seen them but from the description they sound similar in character to the Seler Ddu mines on the east side of Bwlch Mawr.

Dave

BertyBasset
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

Not very extensive at all. A couple of levels with some water. I can't remember any chambering. I had a visit about 10 years ago, this time of year, but with blue sky and extensive frost. Worth a visit for the view.

Robin

davel
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

Locations and aerial photos of Llanaelhaearn and Seler Ddu mines:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Llanaelhaearn&hl=en&ll=52.990433,-4.370885&spn=0.002228,0.004839&sll=52.739547,-4.07169&sspn=0.035856,0.077419&hnear=Llanaelhaearn,+Gwynedd,+United+Kingdom&t=h&z=18

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Llanaelhaearn&hl=en&ll=52.998085,-4.337631&spn=0.002228,0.004839&sll=52.739547,-4.07169&sspn=0.035856,0.077419&hnear=Llanaelhaearn,+Gwynedd,+United+Kingdom&t=h&z=18

I'm curious about the method of mining. At Seler Ddu (and, judging from the above photos, Llanaelhaearn) there is a more or less rectilinear network of tunnels in shaley ground. There does not seem to be any sign of veins being followed (although having scrabbled around Seler Ddu on hands and knees, I don't remember taking much notice of the roof), so I guess that they were exploiting a manganese-rich horizon in the county rock. I would welcome more informed comments on this suggestion.

Dave

Willy Eckerslyke
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

Interesting. I'd taken aerial photos of both those sites without realising what they were. Now added to the albums:

http://www.aditnow.co.uk/album/Llanaelhaearn-Manganese-Mine-User-Album/

http://www.aditnow.co.uk/album/Seler-Ddu-Manganese-Mine-User-Album/

"The true crimefighter always carries everything he needs in his utility belt, Robin"