Situated within Carboniferous Limestone, with the Maeshafn Vein running through the outcrop and extending eastward into the Cefn-y-fedw Sandstone.

Largely overgrown, with many of its structures reduced to earthworks or ruins. Waste heaps and dressing floor areas are still visible along the east and west banks of the River Alyn at SJ 1930 6140, where the remnants of two wheelpits remain. These pits, divided by a common wall, are approximately 15 meters long and 3 meters wide. The path of the former leat that once supplied water to these wheelpits can still be traced alongside the River Alyn.

The main mine site, recorded in plans at CRO Hawarden, is now covered by woodland. A single shaft remains identifiable at SJ 1981 6111, south-east of Bryn Hyfryd. At the Grosvenor Shaft site SJ 2040 6105, some remnants of large stone structures still exist but are heavily degraded. Earthworks of two large reservoirs remain in the area, with a series of pools descending toward the former shaft locations.

Vein was worked by Lisburn Mine at SJ 2095 6060 and Cefn-hir at SJ 2120 6190. Between 1853 and 1872, Messrs John Taylor and Sons operated the mine, which contained at least four main areas of workings. Waste heaps remain along both banks of the River Alyn at SJ 1930 6140, where two wheelpits once powered the flat rods and dressing floors. The main mine site, as recorded in a plan at CRO Hawarden was located at SJ 1980 6110, where No. 5 and No. 6 shafts were active. Another key area was the Grosvenor Shaft at SJ 2040 6105, where large stone structures have since been nearly destroyed.

Mining records vary regarding the number of shafts at Maeshafn. Earp (1958) noted five main shafts, but an 1879 plan lists nine. Among them, No. 4, known as Pen-y-graig, extended to 320 yards with a diameter of 5.50 feet. No. 7 and No. 8 were positioned south of the main mine site, with No. 7 used as a draw-well and No. 8 referred to as Bryn Sirion. No. 9, called East Maeshafn, was east of the Grosvenor Shaft and below Moel Findeg. By 1897, this shaft had already been filled in, appearing only as a mound at SJ 2078 6095.

Workings in the eastern section of the site lay south of America Farm and north of the road leading from Maeshafn to the southeast. A possible horse pulley shaft is located in a field east of the Youth Hostel at SJ 2095 6055. However, distinguishing between whim shafts and remnants of the older Jamaica Mine, which ceased production in 1856, is difficult. Later mining efforts between 1896 and 1903 by Messrs Brunner Mond and Co. proved less successful. Their explorations extended eastward beneath Moel Findeg, encompassing the Cefn-hir, Lisburn, America, Jamaica, and East Maeshafn setts.

In April and May of 1978, a shaft capping program was conducted by NKC Partnership.