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Clwyd Metal Mines Survey


Fronfawnog

Fronfawnog lies in the community of Gwernaffield in the county of Flintshire. It is located at Ordnance Survey national grid reference SJ21556385. The mine is recorded in the CPAT Historic Environment Record as number 103219 and this number should be quoted in all correspondence.

Lead/Silver (Early 19th century-1880)

Geology
The Fronfawnog Mine was worked in the lower of two limestone flats, in which two main runs of ore ran east to west partly in the calcareous sandstone and partly in the underlying limestone. Unaccompanied by a vein, they were supposedly choked up water channels (Smith 1921).

Workings
An area of at least five recognisable old shafts and associated spoil, one a possible horse whim at SJ21396379, are located in the area of Fron-hyfryd Farm. There is certain real evidence of the engine shaft which apparently worked the mine at SJ21506380. A second area of five large shafts and associated mounds are located at SJ21006370 to the east of Downhill Quarry and south of Pant-glas. Shafts remain at SJ20906390, SJ21056375 (possibly Taylor's Shaft), SJ21056365, SJ21256360 and SJ21306370. An incline shaft ran from SJ20806375.

Transport
Documentary evidence suggests that an inclined plane, 300 yds south of the road at Pant-glas afforded means of access from the two areas of workings.

Power
Barton (1989) and Bayles (1969) record an 85" engine being ordered in November 1870 for the Great Fron Fawnog Mine from the Perran Foundry. A 60" engine was built for the site by Hawarden foundry together with a 14" twin cylinder winder and capstan, and an 18" example. A possible horse whim circle is visible at SJ21396379.

Processing
No evidence.

Other features
The farmhouse at SJ21386374 is the possible mine office.


This HTML page is reproduced from the Powys and Clwyd Metal Mine Surveys which were undertaken between May 1992 and December 1993 by Mark Walters and Pat Frost of the Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust with financial support from Powys County Council, Clwyd County Council and Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments. Further information about this site is available in CPAT's Regional Historic Environment Record.
Page produced by Rachel Stebbings and Chris Martin.

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