Large mining areas are present on both terraces of the limestone ridge, likely associated with Belgrave Mine. The main mine area (SJ 2030 5875) consists of extensive workings, though parts have been disturbed by sheep grazing. South of the track leading from Eryrys Road, multiple shafts remain, including one capped with concrete at SJ 2045 5865. The engine shaft and the remains of the engine house stand at SJ 2017 5887, alongside a raised circular platform with a possible shaft depression to the northwest, potentially indicating a whim site. Another circular stone-lined shaft is visible at SJ 1970 5910, with additional shafts and rakes descending eastward toward the engine house.
To the northwest and uphill of the engine shaft, a large quarried-out section of land is evident. Another mining area (SJ 1990 5880) lies on the western slopes of the limestone ridge within a deep natural basin. It contains three capped shafts, one showing traces of a whim revetment and central pivot, alongside nine additional shaft mounds with associated spoil heaps, surrounded by natural limestone outcrops.
A smaller section of the vein was worked to the southwest at Pwll-Helyg (SJ 1955 5870). Additionally, faint traces of shafts on the east-west vein can still be seen in the fields around Fron-Deg (SJ 2070 5870), as recorded on the 2nd edition OS map.
The Belgrave Vein extends from the River Alyn to the Cefn-y-fedw Sandstone, crossing a limestone ridge that rises to 408 meters above sea level. The Belgrave Mine followed this east-west vein across the ridge toward Bryn-yr-Orsedd, terminating at an old level in the Alyn Valley. Historical records, including Smith’s 1921 illustration, depict a series of ten shafts along the ridge.
A shaft capping program conducted by N.K.C. Partnership in 1978 included work on two Belgrave shafts: the Old Engine Shaft (SJ 2017 5887) and an adjacent stone-lined shaft (SJ 2018 5884), the latter bearing a date stone inscribed “JP1804.”
A well-maintained track from Eryrys Road leads to the main mining area at SJ 2030 5875.
External Links
Publications (7)
- (1921); BGS - Mineral Resources of GB (c1920s) Vol XIX - Lead and Zinc: in Carboniferous of North Wales; 169 pages
- Anon; Belgrave Mine Section; 1 pages
- BGS - Mine Plans (large, zoomable) - Belgrave Mine; 1 pages
- Ebbs, Cris (2009); Lead Mining at Eryrys & Llanarmon; 17 pages
- Ellis, B. (1994); History of quarrying in the Maeshafn, The - Llanarmon Area , Denbighshire Historical Society Transactions : 43 : 45-66
- Jones, Nigel and Walters, Mark and Frost, Pat (2004); Mountains and Orefields; 208 pages
- Williams, C. J. & Bick, D. (1992) , List of metalliferous mine sites of industrial archaeological importance
