real time web analytics
Report - - Frongoch Lead Mine - Mid Wales, April 2012 | Mines and Quarries | 28DaysLater.co.uk

Report - Frongoch Lead Mine - Mid Wales, April 2012

Hide this ad by donating or subscribing !

Landsker

The Rock Man
28DL Full Member
Second mine of the day and another one that has had work done by Mr Fellows, Including providing a much drier way in by installing ladders in a shaft.

Visited with cunningcorgi and a non member..




History


This is a quite famous lead and zinc mine situate near Pontrhydygroes in central Wales. Although mining at Frongoch started in the mid 1700 s, large scale mining did not commence until 1834 when it was taken over by the Lisburn Mines formed by John Taylor. In 1899 a new company, the Societe Anonyme Metallurgique of Leige took over and spent a lot of money on new plant and equipment. This was driven by electricity produced by a generating station purposely built and just down the road a mile to the west.
The neighbouring mine of Wemyss was originally independent but was taken over by Frongoch mainly so as to be able to use the Wemyss adit for drainage. This was extended into the Frongoch workings and in one place had to be re-dialled which involved blasting out the floor, a feature to be seen in other mines in the area. Although originally a lead mine, its salvation in later years lay in zinc production with over 50,000 tons of blende being produced.
Underground mining finally ceased about 1910, although in the 1920s the extensive dumps were removed for re treatment.


1 The way in

7122823287_7ff37982e4_z.jpg


2 Stope

6976774116_975a86e60e_c.jpg


3 Timbers, water was flowing at a fair speed here!

7122886303_60a7b2bd33_c.jpg


4 Kibble rod on wall, used to empty the kibble

6976835552_afe4fcaa9c_c.jpg


5 And the kibble itself

7122912051_65e2c3912f_c.jpg


6 Deads above passage

6976872694_857f0bb1f7_c.jpg


7 Flooded

6976896578_c121f09405_c.jpg


8 Timbered, more of Mr Fellows Hard work

7122979861_5a56ebfc41_c.jpg


9 False Floor

7123007775_c05d1404c6_c.jpg


10 Pick

7123012475_0d71ff7f44_c.jpg


11 Pump rods at the bottom of engine shaft

7123077865_52a5ab54e2_c.jpg



12 Mr frog must have gotten lost!

6976967378_a158207c93_c.jpg



Another super mine and thanks to Roy Fellows for all his hard work!
 
Top