This post is about the mine entrances (levels, red dots) in the Cesailgwm valley - it’s really a continuation of the last one (# 3) which would have been too long otherwise.
I did a few of these levels last year and finished off the top holes more recently while looking at the next valley over to the east (Wnin).
The Cesailgwm workings (1888-1906) were attempts to find copper and then gold in the quartz bands which cross the valley although few details are known.
The only recorded output is for 1906 when 196 tons of rock yielded 27 oz of gold (0.16 oz/ton).
While copper staining can be seen in some of the levels, the waste tips seemed to be mostly ‘rock’ and quartz.
Starting at the bottom, four trial levels are shown on the western side - I looked for a couple of these (lowest two red dots) but didn’t find anything explorable.
Although not shown on maps, the black dot beside the Nant Cesailgwm stream is a mill.
The only information I can find is that it was in use for processing gold in 1906 - now it’s just a ruin with a wheelpit.
Immediately opposite is a very short trial level, with another minor excavation a bit further up the stream.
This has two entrances and may have been used as a reservoir judging by the concrete wall across the downstream one.
Beyond another (deeply flooded) trial is a series of diggings stretching up east side of the valley.
One of these goes in a bit with small excavations on either side, and some old explosives boxes at the end.
The path carries on to another line of fenced-off diggings.
The lowest one is a wiggly tunnel without any obvious enlargements.
The next entrance up leads into the bottom of a linear excavation that is open to the surface in places.
I stopped at this point although it seems to go on.
Also in here is a flooded shaft with the remains of a winding drum above it.
Out for a view down the valley with the Mawdach estuary in the background.
Since it’s a pretty part of the world, another picture while heading back down to the road.
I did a few of these levels last year and finished off the top holes more recently while looking at the next valley over to the east (Wnin).
The Cesailgwm workings (1888-1906) were attempts to find copper and then gold in the quartz bands which cross the valley although few details are known.
The only recorded output is for 1906 when 196 tons of rock yielded 27 oz of gold (0.16 oz/ton).
While copper staining can be seen in some of the levels, the waste tips seemed to be mostly ‘rock’ and quartz.
Starting at the bottom, four trial levels are shown on the western side - I looked for a couple of these (lowest two red dots) but didn’t find anything explorable.
Although not shown on maps, the black dot beside the Nant Cesailgwm stream is a mill.
The only information I can find is that it was in use for processing gold in 1906 - now it’s just a ruin with a wheelpit.
Immediately opposite is a very short trial level, with another minor excavation a bit further up the stream.
This has two entrances and may have been used as a reservoir judging by the concrete wall across the downstream one.
Beyond another (deeply flooded) trial is a series of diggings stretching up east side of the valley.
One of these goes in a bit with small excavations on either side, and some old explosives boxes at the end.
The path carries on to another line of fenced-off diggings.
The lowest one is a wiggly tunnel without any obvious enlargements.
The next entrance up leads into the bottom of a linear excavation that is open to the surface in places.
I stopped at this point although it seems to go on.
Also in here is a flooded shaft with the remains of a winding drum above it.
Out for a view down the valley with the Mawdach estuary in the background.
Since it’s a pretty part of the world, another picture while heading back down to the road.
