Powys Metal Mines Survey

Aberdaunant

Geology
Ordovician Van Formation grits. The vein strikes SW-NE. Mineralisation includes galena and sphalerite in a quartz gangue.

Workings
3 adits, a crosscut level, and an engine shaft relate to the most recent workings. The levels are situated immediately north of Nant Gwestyn in the valley bottom. The engine shaft is at SN90788655. Some ancient levels and trials exist on the northern end of the lode below Pen Y Gaer hillfort at SN90758675. There is a narrow opencut with traces of lead mineralisation in the side walls at SN91008675. There may have been a shaft through the bottom of this feature which is now infilled. This working and trials around it belong to a group of workings known as Crowlwm but was probably worked with the Bryntail or Aberdaunant setts.

Transport
No evidence.

Power
A 30ft waterwheel to drive the crushers was installed in 1871. This was supplied with water by a 200 yard long leat which has been cut into the bedrock in places. The wheelpit is still visible at basal foundation level. In 1876 an engine house was completed and housed a 16hp twin cylinder engine. The engine house survives partially but urgently needs some consolidation work if the walls are to survive an imminent collapse.

Processing
30" crushers, buddles, and jiggers were all formerly present on this site. Only the base of a possible ore slide and the crusher wheelpit are recognisable at present. Overall the dressing floors are poorly preserved.

Other features
A possible mine office building foundation is visible on the dressing floors at the foot of the slope.