Several lodes worked via two shafts, Old Engine Shaft above the road and Eliza’s Shaft on slopes below where there are also several adits.
Mine believed to be much older than dates below
| Year | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1846 | Developed on a small scale. |
| 1850 | Began production. |
| 1853 | At shareholder meeting in Nov, at the house of Mr. T.P. Thomas, Chairman expressed hope that a dividend could be paid. Engine shaft reported to be down to 30fm, with three lodes being worked. Mine had ‘a carpenter’s shop, count house, smithy, 40ft waterwheel, a splendid crusher, drawing machine and crushing house, and a 25ft waterwheel complete for pumping’ also various machines for dressing ‘all charged and paid for’. |
| 1856 | Following promising start, mine put up for auction by T.P. Thomas in Jan. |
| 1870 | After discontinous working, its acquisition in 1870 by Esgairlle Silver-lead Mining Company spured some new activity, including the sinking of Eliza’s Shaft. |
| 1873 | During the Welsh mining boom due to the success of the Van Mine, taken over by Great West Van Mining Company, claiming incorrectly that the property lay on the Van lode. Because of this, the mine changed hands for £40,000 - a grossly inflated price given the mine’s standing. Both shafts sunk to 46fm, with disappointing results. |
| 1878 | Mine sold for £2,050 ! |
| 1892 | Worked intermittently until 1892, employing 30-40 in the last few years. |
1,255 tons of lead ore raised prior to the Greate West Van swindle, 813 tons afterwards. |
Siruated next to the Aberysrwyth road, some workings gonig underneath it.
Publications (4)
- (1922); BGS - Mineral Resources of GB (c1920s) Vol XX - Lead and Zinc: Cardiganshire & West Montogmeryshire; 242 pages
- Jones, Nigel and Walters, Mark and Frost, Pat (2004); Mountains and Orefields; 208 pages
- Welsh Mines Society (Apr 2003); Newsletter 48; pp. 29-30
- Welsh Mines Society (Oct 2002); Newsletter 47; pp. 17-21
