Welcome
If you visit the site of the old lead mine today what you will see is a sad reflection of what was a thriving and once large and profitable mining operation.
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 although there is evidence that they may have been worked long before the Romans. (see Simon Hughes’ account).
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 heyday with a massive extraction of lead (100,000 tons) and zinc (500 tons). After much uncertainty the mine finally closed in 1932.
In 1792 the artist John ‘Warwick’ Smith a respected artist of his time produced two paintings of Cerrig Mwyn (rocky outcrop above Rhandirmwyn village) and the Nantymwyn lead mine which are now housed at the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth.
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 although there is evidence that they may have been worked long before the Romans. (see Simon Hughes’ account).
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 heyday with a massive extraction of lead (100,000 tons) and zinc (500 tons). After much uncertainty the mine finally closed in 1932.
In 1792 the artist John ‘Warwick’ Smith a respected artist of his time produced two paintings of Cerrig Mwyn (rocky outcrop above Rhandirmwyn village) and the Nantymwyn lead mine which are now housed at the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth.
General view of Nant y Mowyn, with the Hills rich in Lead above it. The Towey in its early course extends through this valley to Llandovery & the Vale of Towey. Carreg y Mowyn has long been famed for its store of lead. Its Mines were worked by The Romans. Its present Workings have continued since the year 1742 & now belong to Lord Cawdor. The White House under Cerrig y Mowyn, was long the Residence of Mr Rolley, the Native & Experienced Agent of these mines
Interior of the mining part of Carreg Mowyn where the lead ore is principally carried in boats, through narrow level communications branching from the mines. The boats used in this subterraneous navigation are narrow, sharp at each end of about 5 tons – one man brings out several of these, sometimes using a paddle, sometimes grappling with the rock with his hands, but their favourite method is by lying down on their backs with their feet against the roof, forcing the boat along’.
We have included accounts of the history of the mine by Simon Hughes and Dafydd Dafis. We are very grateful to both for their great assistance and for allowing us to use their historical accounts on the website.
Photographs are from the Tom Lewis Gallery and the Gunnel and Jeff Jones collection.
If you have any old photographs or information about the Nantymwyn lead mine then please contact us. [email protected]
Visit
Llywernog Silver-Lead Mine Museum & Caverns www.silverminetours.co.uk
Welsh Mines Society www.welshmines.org
Photographs are from the Tom Lewis Gallery and the Gunnel and Jeff Jones collection.
If you have any old photographs or information about the Nantymwyn lead mine then please contact us. [email protected]
Visit
Llywernog Silver-Lead Mine Museum & Caverns www.silverminetours.co.uk
Welsh Mines Society www.welshmines.org
History of the Nantymwyn Lead Mine, Rhandirmwyn
By Simon Hughes
Involved in Mineral Exploration and Mining since 1968. Since then I have worked predominantly on the metalliferous mines of mid Wales but have experience throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland. Awarded an MA from Manchester in 1982 for research on the provenancing of metals by Neutron Activation Analysis. Following this I worked briefly as a mines inspector for the Sandanista Government of Nicaragua before returning to the UK and founding "Mining Services", a small consultancy and contracting business that undertook mineral exploration and sampling, quarry and seismic shotfiring, land reclamation and remedial work.
Author of numerous monographs and papers on metalliferous mines and mining.
Author of numerous monographs and papers on metalliferous mines and mining.
The Old Lead Mine By Dafydd Dafis.
Dafydd Dafis was born on 29th September 1924 in the mining village of Cwmgiedd in the Swansea Valley.
After leaving school in 1943 he joined the RAF and saw service in Canada and Great Britain. He was de-mobbed in 1947.
In September 1947 he entered Trinity College, Carmarthen, to be trained as a teacher. At the end of the course, he went to teach at Holloway Head Secondary Modern School, Birmingham.
He later applied for the post of Rural Science master at Llandrindod County Secondary School. After 3 years at Llandrindod he applied for ‘the post of headmaster of Rhandirmwyn School and transferred there a few days before Christmas 1957.
He says………
The next 25 years or so were to be a rural idyll. We lived in the school-house and came to enjoy life in a community that was almost entirely Welsh-speaking. The children I taught were the sons and daughters of farmers and foresters mainly’.
I Served also on the Committee for Wales of The Forestry Commission, chaired by Mr. Gibson-Watt. With the approval of the NCC and the FC I set up a nature reserve for the school at Allt yr Hwch, a high altitude oak wood on Forestry Commission Land.
In 1968 I was admitted a Fellow of the Linnean Society of London. The end of the following year saw the closure of Rhandirmwyn School despite the efforts of the County Council to keep it open; the numbers in the end had fallen to just three children. A period of teaching at Llandovery County Secondary School followed before I took up headship duties at Capel Cynfab Primary School in neighboring Cynghordy village, where I spent the next 14 years before my retirement.
On the 8 August 1991 I was admitted as Ovate to the Gorsedd of Bards during
the National Eisteddfod of Wales held at Mold, an honour which I greatly esteem.
In July 1992 I was awarded the honorary degree of MSc. by the University of Wales in a ceremony held at Cardiff University’.
After leaving school in 1943 he joined the RAF and saw service in Canada and Great Britain. He was de-mobbed in 1947.
In September 1947 he entered Trinity College, Carmarthen, to be trained as a teacher. At the end of the course, he went to teach at Holloway Head Secondary Modern School, Birmingham.
He later applied for the post of Rural Science master at Llandrindod County Secondary School. After 3 years at Llandrindod he applied for ‘the post of headmaster of Rhandirmwyn School and transferred there a few days before Christmas 1957.
He says………
The next 25 years or so were to be a rural idyll. We lived in the school-house and came to enjoy life in a community that was almost entirely Welsh-speaking. The children I taught were the sons and daughters of farmers and foresters mainly’.
I Served also on the Committee for Wales of The Forestry Commission, chaired by Mr. Gibson-Watt. With the approval of the NCC and the FC I set up a nature reserve for the school at Allt yr Hwch, a high altitude oak wood on Forestry Commission Land.
In 1968 I was admitted a Fellow of the Linnean Society of London. The end of the following year saw the closure of Rhandirmwyn School despite the efforts of the County Council to keep it open; the numbers in the end had fallen to just three children. A period of teaching at Llandovery County Secondary School followed before I took up headship duties at Capel Cynfab Primary School in neighboring Cynghordy village, where I spent the next 14 years before my retirement.
On the 8 August 1991 I was admitted as Ovate to the Gorsedd of Bards during
the National Eisteddfod of Wales held at Mold, an honour which I greatly esteem.
In July 1992 I was awarded the honorary degree of MSc. by the University of Wales in a ceremony held at Cardiff University’.
News Of The Day
Tragedies and Obituaries
Lead Miner Killed By Fall - Williams Evans
Terrible Accident - Inquest - Explosion in Carmarthenshire - William Beswetherick and John Lewarne
Inquest On A Rhandirmwyn Miner - Charles Bettinson
Obituary of Captain Joseph Argall
Terrible Accident - Inquest - Explosion in Carmarthenshire - William Beswetherick and John Lewarne
Inquest On A Rhandirmwyn Miner - Charles Bettinson
Obituary of Captain Joseph Argall
Nantymwyn Lead Mine - Simon Hughes - Dafydd Dafis - Tragedies and Obituaries - Maps & Plans - Miners Homes
