Ystrad Einion Lead Mine Buildings and Water Wheel

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.

The monument comprises an exceptionally complete complex of lead mining buildings of c.1871 in grey slatey rubble. In descending order down the hill these comprise:
a - shaft;
b - a series of square ore bins with iron reinforcement. One retains a triangular sectioned wooden chute built into the masonry;
c - a tall rectangular crushing mill building, openings turned in red brick or with wooden lintels;
d - two circular buddles for crushing ore, with a rectangular building alongside;
e - a group of settling tanks for water. Nearby an adit leads to a large chamber with one shaft leading to the surface of another going down. In the chamber is an impressive 5m diameter water wheel used for drawing and pumping in the shaft. This has been described as the most important and unique mining relic in Britain, but the mine itself was not profitable and eventually closed c. 1900.

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.