Introduction to the Lead Mines of the Gwydyr Forest
Introduction to the Lead Mines of the Gwydyr Forest
Local area
The Gwydyr Forest is situated to the North West of Betws-y-Coed high up on a plateau. It is a densely forested area which hides the remains of much mining very effectively. The land is now cared for by the Forestry Commission who are opening up the area for forest walks. In the process they are sealing for good many of the mine entrances. It is sometimes possible to conduct oneself past these grates and grilles given sufficient morphing skills, and many exciting adventures lay beyond!.
Minerals
The mineral lodes in the Gwydyr forest are found in rocks that are around 450 million years old. About 300 million years ago, minerals flowed upwards through the cracks and faults to form the mineral lodes. The most common minerals are:
- Galena - Lead Sulphide
- Blende - Zinc Sulphide
- Pyrite - Iron Sulphide
Also Calcite and Quartz are present, and these form most of the mine waste.
The main mineral lode is called the Principal Lode, and Parc mine follows this lode in a South Westerly direction. Cyffty mine and Llanrwst mine also mined this lode. The other mines of the area worked the smaller lodes.
There is an excellent series of books, which examine each mine in great detail. The series is called the Mines of the Gwydyr Forest, and they are available from Gwydyr Mines Publications, 17, Field Lane, Appleton, Warrington, Cheshire WA4 5JR. Or from Buxton Caving Supplies.
- Book 1 - Llanrwst Mine and its neighbours
- Book 2 - The Hafna mine, Llanrwst and some early ventures in Gwydyr Nant
- Book 3 - Parc Mine, Llanrwst and Adjacent Setts
- Book 4 - Aberllyn, Betws-y-Coed and Adjacent Setts
- Book 5 - Coed Mawr Pool, Cyffty and Other Mines in South West Gwydyr
- Book 6 - Pandora and Other Mines in North West Gwydyr
- Book 7 - Llanrwst: Coed Gwydyr and Cae Coch, Llangelynin: Trecastell and Derwen Deg
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