Powys Metal Mines Survey

Nantybrain

Geology
Two or three lodes were worked on a north-south strike with galena mineralisation.

Workings
There is a deep adit at SN84305157. A further adit can be seen at SN83255025. There are two shafts at SN83235018 and SN83215029, the lower of which connects to the second adit mentioned above. Surface trials can be seen in a number of places on the slopes of Esgair Nant Y Bryn and Pen Y Foel.

Transport
A leat off the Nant Ddwfn supplied water to the waterwheels for pumping and crushing. The old metalled track along the north-eastern slopes of Esgair Nant Y Brain is probably the original miners' trackway. There are a number of earthwork survivals of tramway track beds leading out onto the spoil heaps from the workings.

Power
The waterwheel pit at SN83155055 was used for pumping the shafts and in 1871 a 30x2.5ft waterwheel was apparently installed. A second smaller waterwheel pit can be seen at SN83155049 which still displays an intact axle and parts of the rim. Immediately prior to closure in 1850 two engines were installed and the dressing floors were expanded with a crusher house, jiggers and buddles, foundations of which can still be seen.

Processing
Evidence exists of manual dressing and mechanised forms of processing in the form of a crusher house and platforms for jigger bases as well as round buddles. Ore bins and a picking/washing floor are also present.

Other features
No evidence.