Other Anglesey Copper mines

There were a number of other copper mines in the Amlwch area. Some of these appear to be genuine attempts to mine for copper. Other seems to be much more speculative trying to profit on the name of the great mines at Parys mountain with exaggerated claims for the potential of the undertakings.

In a document on Parchment, held in the Nanhoron manuscripts at the national Library of Wales, dated 15 September 1756 a lease for 21 years was granted to John Champion of Holywell Flint  by Francis Lloyd to mine for copper, tin, calamine and zinc on the land of Gader at Carmel Head.

It is reported by Lewis Morris in 1761 that  "A Scot called Fraser was working the Copper mines at Rhosmynach."  (SH482914)  Shafts and levels were driven into the rock and chalcopyrite obtained. The mine was soon abandoned in favour of Parys mountain.

An attempt was made to mine Copper at Pant Y Gaseg just West of Bull bay in 1859 by means of an adit driven in from the cliff foot,( SH4126 9465) for a total of 662 feet but was abandoned. The adit level entrance is about 6 feet by 4 feet as shown below.

The first trail is at a point 400 feet in but is chocked after 50 feet. A further 80 feet in a second trail was dug for about 65 feet. This one contains various minerals. the main level continues for another 85 feet before coming to a dead end.

Around 1872 a second attempt was made with a small shaft being sunk on the ridge. (SH4120 9452). The inauguration of this shaft and of the Pant y gaseg Copper mine took place on 16th March 1872 at the Dinorben Hotel in Amlwch. A Mr Gibson from London took out a 21 year lease on the area from Mr Pritchard of Trescawen. 

Other notable local contributors were ,Mr J W.Paynter The high Sheriff, Mr T.Fauning Evans JP, and Mona Mine chief, Mr B Roose Solicitor, Capt Dyer late of Parys mine, Mr W C Paynter Ship owner, R T Philips of Anglesey Central Railway, Captain T.Michell, Parys Mine and Captain W.Hughes Mona Mine and Mr J M Williams, Mona Mine Assayer.

At another meeting on April 20 Mr Gibson addressed the miners. He praised their hard work in the mine and made " ..some very trite and happy remarks. He urged them all to learn and cultivate a knowledge of the English language..." 

By Aug that year they had cleared out the water and timbered down the shaft. They had sunk 20 feet and also driven on the Shillitoe's lode. They had cleared and made good for the safety of the miners and driven on the course of the lode a total of 28 fathoms including a number of cross cuts and sinking a winze about 9ft. They discovered a level "formally worked by the Romans where some native ( Bronze age) hammer stones were found." This level was driven for 3 fathoms. On the surface smiths and carpenters shops were built.

Entrance to Bronze age workings on private land at Bull Bay

In September 1872 it was reported in the Mining journal. " In our recent tour through Anglesey we paid a visit to the Great Mona mine. Afterwards we paid a similar complement to the new mine, Pant y gaseg and were much pleased with the appearance of the property. We visited the old Roman level and wondered, centuries ago, how the workmen mined in those days ,with the rude tools they used.  The copper is of the same description as Mona mine. We also saw some of the beautiful umber and ochre taken out in our presence. We were amazed at the Kaolinite. It is our impression that this will be a great mine very shortly. From all appearances the miners are chosen, picked men. They speak well of their manager Mr J.M.Williams, also of the spirited promoter in London, and state that they have the greatest faith the proprietors will shortly amply repay their outlay.

In November 1872 the Panty-gaseg Copper Mining Company issued 40 shares at £250 pounds each. Among the subscribers were, W P Powell, Covent garden, Henry Gibson , walworth road London, J Rutter MD Brighton,  E L Brewer, London, Rickman and Buxton Shillitoe, London and J W Morris London.

However the mine never lived up to it's name and in May 1879 the company who held leases to mine under Pany y gaseg and Castell Farms was dissolved.  

The same area was operated for a short time again by another company called the New Cambrian Syndicate from 1906 to 1907.  

Further west The Gaddair Copper Mining Company, incorporated in 1839, sank at least three trail shafts Pen Bryn y Eglwys on Carmel Head (SH295 928) The east/west trending vein was explored by a number of shafts. The vein was mainly quartz with traces of chalcopyrite and terminates in a small cove. The remains of a round chimney stack with possible pits and site of a wheel house can be seen. There are further shafts in the area including one at the sea edge (SH 2900 9271)

In the share prospectus in June 1839 the mines were described:-  

"These mines are situated to the west of Parys Mountain and are well known ... as a sett of great importance, and estimate them to be of no less value that the celebrated Parys mine which has realised millions to it's noble proprietors. The Gaddair as well as the Parys mine, was the subject of a singular prophecy, well known in the Principality, of the celebrated seer Robin Ddu ,who lived towards the close of the sixteenth centaury and was remarkable for his dark sayings. His prediction as respects the Parys mine has been wonderfully fulfilled, the produce being so great, that the quantity actually influenced the market price of copper throughout Europe for a long period.

This sett contains nearly 700 acres of rich mining ground. Four great courses or champion lodes, beside a number of strong veins ... evidently of the same character as Parys mountain. One of the levels has been driven upwards of 220 yard under the covering of about 100 yards. In ten yards from the entrance of this level, several tons of copper ore have been obtained, and the metal is left in it both above and below for future operations. in sinking a shaft sixteen yards deep upon the same lode 500 yards distance a similar result ensued., and a quantity of copper was raised saleable at £23 per ton.

On the south side, in another level driven about 100 yards under the covering of eighty yards , copper was found, and proved bearing up to the surface. From this level a cross cut may be made so as the intersect the two great lodes. In this part of the ground the two lodes are rapidly closing on each other and it is expected that an immense body of ore will be found at the intersection.   

In addition to the metals, the mineral water is found to possess a corresponding property with those of Parys mine , and in the deep ground, is expected will be equally viable in yielding copper by precipitation." 

In 1847 there were 18 miners as well as 6 others including  a blacksmith and carpenter working at the site to drive the Hounds cave adit towards the expected lode. As with all mines water was a big problem and in August 1848 a meeting was held in London to try and raise money to buy a pumping engine. However the problems of water and only small amounts on copper meant the mine was sold on around 1868.

In 1835 a company called the Anglesey mining company had sought to acquire the rights of the copper  mines at Rhosymynach from Messers Paynter and Jones for the sum of £4500.  The offer was refused and the rights sold for a higher price to an English company which however was unable to make the venture pay.

Later a Mr Evan Evans who was residing at Mona Lodge made a start at working the two mines.

No serious effort was made until in 1863 a Mr Edmund Spargo moved into the Mynachdy area.  He took out leases on the Rhosmynach and Carmel copper mines. At Rhosymynach ( SH481 914) three shafts of 200 feet were sunk. Three lodes were discovered. assays in the North lode showed 5.6% copper while the Middle lode showed up to 11.37%. Other minerals including Iron, Bismuith, Silver and Gold were also discovered. A sea level adit with four deep sinks was also dug. Although the lease ran for 45 years the mine was soon abandoned.

In 1882 the mining journal refers to "the Rhosmynanch mine ... which formally turned out large quantities of rich copper ore. The price of copper and lead are of course sadly against success of mining operations here and elsewhere, and it is difficult in even the best mines to make more than a small profit. with a slight advance in prices, which is sure to come, there is still a good future for these historic Anglesey mines.

The work was reopened in 1919 and in 1917 80 tones of ore was recovered. The working were abandoned again in1926..

Some copper was found in 1858 at the East Mona Mine ( SH479 914) at Llaneilian. Duncan's shaft intersected the lode at 14 yards which was said to be "3 foot thick and full of copper and continuing towards the Parys mines" As if to echo the latter the shafts were named after Rothwell or Roose.

A trail shaft was sunk to 15 fathoms in 1853 at Gwredog mine ( SH417 901) North West  of Llanerchymedd.. However like many others it was abandoned due to "trouble with water".

In the same year a shaft was sunk at Llaneuddog or Caeronneg near LLanellian (SH489 905) it was situated " about one mile from Parys Mountain and 2 miles from the smelting houses at Amlwch port. perceptible are three or four veins of copper running through the land into the mountain. A shaft has been sunk about 9 yards. They have raised in a few days 2 tons of copper" 

Gilfach mine at Mynydd y Garn ,Llanerchymedd (SH3084 9139) was again promoted as being "close to Parys mine" in a Sale of 1860. The main shaft was reported as being on 33 feet deep but a good quantity of copper had been recovered and sold by local tradesmen who were reportedly selling the mine to enable further investment to take place. Applications to purchase were to be made to William Aubrey, printer, Llanerchymedd. Close by was also the Geir mine ( SH 383 819)

The Ashcroft Anglesey Copper Mining Company Limited worked the Holyhead Copper Mine  at Porth Ruffydd (SH 2280 7980) from 1855 until 1882. In 1858 the mine had been described as " one of the best in Europe" By 1858 two shafts had been sunk. One was down to 18 fathoms with a 7 foot wide lodes extending for 3 fathoms in depth with rich stones of copper. The area became know as copper mine creek. Close by the Porth Y Rhwydau mine also produced copper. ( SH 228 799)

The Great Dinorben Mining Company set up near Llanfechell in 1867. This was a limestone quarry in which it was said that copper could be found. When sold in 1868 to the Porthwen Bay Mining Company  it was stated " There is erected on the land a good and substantial  building, three stories high" There was also a 12 HP high pressure Steam Engine and 18 HP Cornish Boiler with two flues throughout.

The Mona Consuls Mine was situated at Porth y wch on the shore at Bull Bay. (SH418 947). In 1881 it was reported that the Porth y wrach grant had three distinct lodes with 30% copper and was producing 300 to 400 tons of copper per month. By 1882 the miners were suffering a 5% pay cut. A pumping engine had been obtained as the mine was hindered by water.

The mining journal also has another  reference to the Rhianfa mine trail working in Bull Bay (SH421 942) dating from 1863. A good vein of copper ore was discovered from what may have been a sea level adit. The Bryn Goleu (SH 425 902) mine is close by.

During 1888 & 1889 a number of assays were made in the Llangaffo area.(SH4468) A small amount of chalcopyrite containing up to 23% copper was found. Silver was also found in the galena.

At the eastern end of  Parys mountain the Morfa Du (SH 429 900)  mine was worked from 1881 until 1904. The workings were shallow and ill defined. A bluestone polymettailc ore was raised and 5783 tones of ore containing 28% zinc and 487 tons of lead were recovered.

As late at 1912 chalcopyrite was still being extracted from Bron Heulog (SH 342 875) near Llanfaethlu. Greenly makes a reference to " Copper, apparently chalcopyrite, is being worked near this place. Other copper mines in the area include Cefn Du Bach ( SH 328 898) Ysgargeulyn mine ( SH 31? 82?) and Pendre ( SH 345 824)

At Porth Helygen (SH492 905) opposite Dulas island a level was driven for copper to the south of the cove and chalcopyrite was obtained. Lead and copper  is also reported to have been worked at a mine near City Dulas ( SH469 875) at Porth Aber (SH489 905) and Brynfyches (SH 490 905)

At Ogof-fawr ( SH 487921) at Llanelian there are two small old levels in the shale. These contain some quartz veins with a little chalcopyrite and some strings of malachite. The Tyllau Duon Mine ( SH 483 925) at Point Lynas was worked around 1870 mainly for slate. However some references to trails for copper and lead also exist.

In 1900 some chalcopyrite was also found to the NNE of Rhosgoch railway station (SH410 895) and also in a level at Porth Cynfor.( SH394 950) near Llanbadrig. It was suggested by Glazebrook in 1964 that this latter level may have shown some evidence of roman copper mining. The Porth Padrig (SH305 928) Bryn Llewelyn (SH 395 946) and The Glasfryn mine ( SH418 943)  mines are also close by. The Porthwen Bay Mine Company also dug for copper in the area. (SH 41? 94?) as well as at the Dinorben mine mentioned above. 

There are said to be old shafts for copper near Plas Gwyn (SH528 782) at Pentraeth and at Plas Coch ( SH 269 767)  while at near by Tan y graig ( SH 517 786) it is known that Galena was mined. There is a reference to a copper mine at Aberffraw. (SH 35? 69?)

Old level on private land at Plas gwyn

At Llanddona (SH 5779) there is an old level which was also driven for lead  In 1623 Sir John Wynn of Gwydir writes to the "Prime officer" of Beaumaris " I Pray you do your endeavour to sell my lead ore that is at Beaumaris"

Other North Wales copper mines.

Other copper mines were also worked in North Wales. In 1761 there is a record of Cornish men working the Drws y coed mine near Nantlle in Snowdonia. This mine was not as productive at Parys mountain but had a longer working life.  Many miners and the "copper ladies" from Anglesey moved to the Drws y coed mine when things got hard at Parys mountain during the 1830s. The Drws y coed mine remained productive until nearly the end of the century. In 1879 200 tonnes of pure copper was recovered. By 1881 this had reduced to 140 tonnes.

Near Llanberis a Sion John Robert was said to have made a lucky strike which returned £300 in three months. In 1764 Charles Roe and Son of Macclesfield started to mine for copper at  the old Penryhn Du lead mine on the south side of the LLeyn peninsular. This company later became involved with early explorations at Parys mountain.

The same company also took over the copper mining interests in Llanberis. Some of the rock in this area was said to contain over 20% copper. The precipitation process was also used at these mines.The ore was crushed in a stamping mill by the lake side and then ferried over the lake in boats before being put into carts for the journey to Caernarfon to be shipped to Swansea. In 1798 between 80 and 100 men were employed at the mines.

In the Aberglasllyn pass copper ore which was twice as rich as at Parys was worked during the Nepoleonic wars. The river worked a stamping mill and the produce was exported to Swansea from Porthmadoc.

The produce from the Bron y gadair mine near Tremadoc was also sent from Porthmadoc. From 1824 to 1830 is was mined by a Mr Holland of Liverpool. It was then taken over by the Cambrian mining company who installed a 12 horse power steam engine to drain it.

A small  mine near Nant Francon was also worked on and off for over a Century. While near Bedd gelert the Sygun mine produced for many years.

The lower slopes of the Great Orme at Llandudno was also the site for copper mining in the eighteenth century. The original workings were finished by 1750 but new trails were made in 1782. Ore was regularly sent to Swansea. In 1830 120 men were at work and 3000 tonnes of good dressed ore was produced. During the 1830s fresh veins were found and production and work force increased by around 50 %. However most of the workings were abandoned in 1865 when they were flooded by sea water.