Clwyd Metal Mines Survey

Pant Du East

Geology
The East Pant Du Lead Mining Company Worked the Pant Du Vein at its most easterly, in the Carboniferous Limestone rocks of Nerquis Mountain.

Workings
Smith (1921, 98) refers to surface workings and three main shafts for East Pant Du, which probably infers to the mid-19th century shafts, now lying in an area of very dense woodland. A track leads into the woodland opposite Woodland Cottage (SJ21655925). The main mine site appears to be to the west of this track, but only the remains of a rectangular stone buildings that survive to 1.5m high in part are visible at a junction of paths at SJ21605875, any features or further workings were impossible to see due to the dense and overgrown vegetation (July 1993). No 2 shaft lies immediately to the north-east of this structure. No3 shaft is documented as being in the woodland to the east of this structure. The track continues westwards through the woodland to a second area of workings now visible as shafts and mounds amid conifers and an area of very fine powdery dressing waste. The shaft at SJ21405885 may have been the old whim shaft or No 1 shaft sunk prior to the 1850s. Collapsed shafts are also visible at SJ21435873 and SJ21425887. The workings closely surround an area of old quarrying lying to the south of the road and south of the Tir-y-Coed woods. In the area of pasture below the summit of Nerquis mountain, there is evidence of later workings in the limestone. A very wet area separates the rectangular building foundations site at SJ21305910 and the site from a large open hollow, (although having the appearnce of a large shaft, it is marked as an old kiln on the 1914 6" OS map) its spoil mounds and an ore shoot. The large shaft or limekiln is approx 30m diameter at SJ21405910.

Transport
The stonework remains of a possible incline cut the track to the north-east of the rectangular stone building at SJ21605875 and could have connected No.3 shaft to the western workings. The shaft or site of lime-burning at SJ21405910 and the building foundations at SJ21305910 are connected by a very fine stone-built raised trackway used for carting the ore from the shaft to a possible sorting area. The width of the track is 1m and it runs for about 40 metres, and appears to have a leat cut half-way across it. It remains in excellent preservation with boggy areas to either side of it. It terminates at the ore shoot, lying immediately west of the large shaft.

Power
A platform area to the south of the shaft at SJ21405910 suggests a whim and revetment wall.

Processing
An area of fine powdery waste remains in the woodland at SJ21405880. The stone foundations of derelict buildings remain at SJ21305910, surrounded by grassed-over spoil mounds. The walls are substantial, approx 18" thick and although the stonework is incomplete, it appears to be the remains of two separate buildings one approx 3m x 9m, and the second approx 3m x 4m. The stone built ore shoot appears to be some 4m wide at the top.

Other features
No evidence. *************************** Lead mine worked by Pant Du, East mining company in the second half of the 19th century. Parts are planted with conifers, including the remains of the engine house (PRN 39001) (Thomas D, 1997)

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