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Report - - Ystrad Einion Lead mine, Ceridigion, Wales - January 2024 | Mines and Quarries | 28DaysLater.co.uk

Report - Ystrad Einion Lead mine, Ceridigion, Wales - January 2024

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HughieD

28DL Regular User
Regular User
1. The History
Ystrad Einion is a former lead-silver, zinc and copper mine, located 8 miles south/south-west of Machynlleth in the heart of Cwm Einion. Mining has taken place here since the 18th century. First worked in 1700 and again between 1745-60, the main period of activity was from 1851 when Lancastrian entrepreneur Adam Mason leased the land from the Pryses of Gogerddan, investing in over £3,000 in modern mining equipment. Records from 1891, make reference to 11 miners working at the site, 9 men labouring underground and 2 lads, aged between 13 and 18 above ground. It was an unprofitable mine, with the mine produced 5 tons of silver bearing lead (at a value of £37), 10 tons of zinc ore (£15) and 5 tons of copper ore (£7). Inevitably, the mine closed in 1903 and much of the machinery sold or scrapped.

Water was the main source of power using a leat running off from the River Einion 2km up stream. The wheel pits for three waterwheels survive, one wheel powered the pumps and winding drum at the main shaft head, another powered the stone breaker and crusher machinery in the crusher house, where lumps of ore bearing rock were reduced to a manageable size, and the third powered the jiggers and buddles which sorted and separated the metal ore. Other features of the site included waste tips, two stone ore bins, a blacksmiths shop, an ore store, an elaborate system of settling troughs and ponds to purify the poisonous wastewater, a gunpowder magazine set away from the other buildings and a series of tramways together with an incline that transported ore, waste and other materials around the site.

Below ground, there are four levels of workings, all accessed through adits cut in the hillside and linked by a number of shafts. A waterwheel which operated drainage pumps and a winding drum survives below ground.

Extract from a 1900 O/S map:

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2. The Explore
Ever since seeing the picture of the legendary water wheel, I’ve wanted to visit this place. So when we ended up staying just up the road from here in Machynlleth, coming here was a no-brainer.

The workings are easily spotted due to the extensive above-ground remains. I didn’t have a definitive pin for the entrance so spent a little time looking for the adit. Once found and having ascertained it was below welly height, I ditched my waders and in I went. After the initial drive, you soon come to the water-wheel, It is a bit surreal. It really is one of the most amazing things I’ve seen down a mine. After that it was off to the right. Passed on the rope that takes you up a level and to the famous kibble. I then retraced my steps and went down the left hand drive, over makeshift pontoons, over a couple of collapses, ending up in a very wet engine shaft. At the far side a rope again took you up to the level up. After that, was back out and off to our rental cottage.

3. The Pictures
A few from the impressive above-ground remains first:

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In we go:

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Not sure what this is:

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Is this a blocked-up adit:

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On to the adit:

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…and in we go:

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Some copper in the left-hand-side wall:

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This really does take some beating:

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The pool of blue:

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On we go:

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Rope up to next level up.:

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Pushing on:

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Before it ends in a dead end and it’s time to turn around:

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Retracing our steps:

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Back to this wonderful thing:

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Impressive wall of neatly stacked deads:

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It’s bridge time!

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This stopping is cool:

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HughieD

28DL Regular User
Regular User
CONTINUED:

On we push:

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Obligatory rusty bucket:

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This is interesting;

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Daylight ahead:

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In the shape of this rather wet engine shaft:

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Shaft bottom. The rope here leads up to the level where the kibble is according to @Bikin Glynn

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And back out again:

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THAT'S ALL FOLKS!!!
 
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Calamity Jane

i see beauty in the unloved, places & things
Regular User
Fantastic photos. That wheel is super impressive. The blue water looks lovely but scary at same time. Crazy to read that 20 tons were extracted but very little value to it.
 

tumbles

Crusty Juggler
Staff member
Moderator
I was down here once and there was thousands of frogs at the bottom of the shaft
The first time we went here back in 2010 (I think) when on a may bank holiday road trip we rocked up in 3-4 separate cars. When we got to where you park a couple had decided now was the time to have a shag in the open grass by the riverbank. Don’t think they were too pleased to see us.
 

alex17595

Down t'pit
Regular User
The first time we went here back in 2010 (I think) when on a may bank holiday road trip we rocked up in 3-4 separate cars. When we got to where you park a couple had decided now was the time to have a shag in the open grass by the riverbank. Don’t think they were too pleased to see us.
Ive seen a burnt out car up there as well. Looks like Cwm enion is the place to be
 

Down and beyond

The true source of englands wealth is coal
Regular User
It’s a cracking little trip shame it’s not big , really it’s a hour at most to see it all .

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the rope climb at the start @Bikin Glynn makes it look easy ! Watching him climb the hundred year old stemples was funny ! He has a lovely photo of the kibble.

It’s even more funny when a rock falls and he jumps out his skin !
 
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