Conwy Lead Mine Mill - Gwdyr Forest, Nr Llanrwst, Conwy, North Wales, UK - Water Mills on Waymarking.com

The Conwy Vale Mine operated from 1876 to 1886 and the Mill was a two-storey building used to process the lead ore. The deep pit where the water wheel once stood is particularly notable as is the buddle pit. From this site the material was taken via the River Conwy to the sea to Flintshire or South Wales for smelting.

With the old ruins is an information board which reads:

'A good investment?
Despite the claims of its management Vale of Conwy lead mine was never very profitable. In 1876, mine agent John Roberts reported in the Mining Journal: "I do not remember seeing a more continuous course of lead at surface than this. . . There is no doubt that this is a splendid property and, although I have no interest in it myself, I hope the shareholders may obtain the brilliant success which the mine now promises". By May the following year the mine was at a standstill and a caretaker was the only man employed!

Vale of Conwy Mill
The ore was separated from the waste rock at the mill, powered by a large water-wheel. The crusher-house and wheel-pit are well-preserved.

1 The rock and ore, which had been roughly broken with hammers, was tipped into a yard near the crusher-house.

2 It was then barrowed to the upper floor and tipped into hoppers that released a controlled amount of material onto the crusher rollers.

3 The finely crushed mixture was collected from beneath the rollers and barrowed to the jiggers - shaking tables were the heavier lead ore moved less distance than the lighter waste.

4 The ore was mixed with water and fed through a buddle, a gently sloping conical table, for a final separation. As the mixture slowly washed down the table the heavier ore settled near the top whilst the waste settled lower down.

5 The ore was packed into barrels and taken to Trefriw Wharf to be shipped off for smelting.

Look for the circular pit in which the buddle worked. One man and four boys operated the buddle used here.'

More information can be read here: visit link

Current Status: Ruin Current Use: Not listed

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