Scheduled Monuments- Full Report
Summary Description of a Scheduled Monument
Reference Number
CD153
Name
Castell Lead Mine
Date of Designation
29/08/1993
Status
Designated
Location
Unitary Authority
Ceredigion
Community
Blaenrheidol
Easting
277332
Northing
281253
Broad Class
Industrial
Site Type
Lead Mine
Period
Post Medieval/Modern
Description
Summary Description and Reason for Designation
The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.
The monument comprises the well-preserved remains of a 19th century lead mine including its water-management and transport systems, extraction and dressing processes with their power systems. The monument was opened for Blende by Thomas Bonsall in 1785. It was working probably intermittently thereafter. By 1856 it had acquired a 30 x 4ft waterwheel for crushing ore. The present crusher house was built in 1898 by Captain J Owen for the New Castell Mines Ltd, who operated the site from 1898 to 1908. The wheelpit alongside the crusher house (43 x 5ft) is fine and well preserved. The crusher house is of coursed rubble with iron lintels. The site of the earlier wheel lies behind it and above is an engine pit, with the foundation of its balance pit and open shaft. The mine is also known as West Esgairlle.
The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance and illustrate our knowledge and understanding of mining technology from a single period. Lead mines may be part of a larger cluster of industrial monuments and their importance can be further enhanced by their group value.
The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.