Welsh Journals

THE BRYNDYFI MINE Much of the interest of the Bryndyfi lead mine lies in the design and layout of its ore-dressing works, which were considered by contem- poraries to be "among the best in Cardiganshire and well worth a visit"1 when they were built in the early 1880s. The natural slope of the ground was used to minimize the use of labour and loss of time each process in separating the lead from its ore was situated directly below the next so that the ore did not have to be transported from place to place. There are several interesting features-such as the octagonal ore-shutes at the top of the mine, and the design of the water courses to drive the two water wheels-which make the remains of the mine still worth a visit today. However, the history of the mine itself, so far as it can be pieced together, is as fascinating as the mine buildings -perhaps all the more so because at the end of the story there are still so many unanswered questions. We can start by following the history of the mine through the pages of the Mining Journal, a weekly publication containing information on mining companies and stocks and shares, as well as articles on mining methods and reports and correspondence on mining in all parts of the world. The first mention of the mine was on 8 May 1880, when it was reported that a new discovery of lead ore had been made during shallow trials at Neuadd-lwyd in North Cardiganshire,2 Neuadd-lwyd being the name by which the mine was first known. The following month, more about the discovery appeared. Exploratory works, said the reports, were very satisfactory. "In one shaft which is being sunk and is now some 7 yards deep, the ore averages 4 in. thick of solid lead in many places it is 7 in. wide. This has continued from the surface, and shows every sign of being continuous to a great depth."3 In November we find another report on progress at Bryndyfi. It was beginning to seem from the explorations still being carried out that it was going to be a very important and productive mine, but the owners were being cautious and "proving it energetically and effectively before erecting dressing machinery."4 They were not disappointed the lode apparently continued productive and a reporter to the Journal commented in March 1881, that the owners of the mine had reason to be satisfied with it.5 So satisfied, in fact, that in May they began to excavate for the wheel-pit and the dressing machinery the tramway connecting the mine to the dressing floors was already nearly complete. 6 By June it was finished, reservoirs were being built and the necessary machinery had been ordered from local firms. 7 The Bryndyfi Mining Company Ltd., was registered on 27 July 1881, with a nominal capital of £ 40,000 divided into 4,000 shares of