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Lead Mining
Nantymwyn Lead Mine
Visitors today would find it difficult to believe that such a beautiful place could have been a hive of industry a 100 years ago. Nantymwyn lead mine was one of the largest and most productive mines in southern Wales and at one time employed over 400 people. It is believed that the Romans were the first to mine for ore in the hills above Rhandirmwyn but in recent times records show that the mine was in production in 1304 but it was probably the late 1700’s and 1800’s that was its hayday with a massive extraction of lead (100,000 tons) and zinc (500 tons). After much uncertainty the mine finally closed in 1932.
Standing above the mine and the village is a large rocky outcrop called Pen Cerrigmwyn and this is a wonderful landmark to remind us of the past history of Rhandirmwyn. It was under this outcrop that most of the mining took place.
The remains of the old mine are still visible and on occasions cavers have entered the old workings. It would seem however that there is considerable water within the mine and is probably a very dangerous place to go.
