Minera Halvans Plant

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The monument consists of the remains of an excavated and exceptionally complete example of a lead mine halvans plant. The Minera halvans plant was built by the Taylors mining company between 1872 and 1874 to extract lead ore from existing low grade waste (or “halvans”) heaps in the area. The plant included a beam engine, primary and secondary Cornish crushers, jigs and six buddles. The results from the plant were disappointing due to the low grade of the halvans available, and the site was hidden beneath subsequent spoil dumping until its excavation in 1988. Of national importance as the exceptionally rare and excavated remains of a halvans plant.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of 19th century industrial practices. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. The structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information concerning chronology and building techniques.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. The whole of the remains of the plant are included in the scheduled area, which is bounded by the modern boundary fence.