Minlynn Slate Mine, Dinas Mawddwy

Minlynn slate mine is situated above Dinas Mawddwy in Wales.  The mine is a relic of our industrial passed and ceased production in 1925. There is plenty to see and explore, after about a 45 minute hike up the hill to the mine entrance. Wellies/Waders are needed to enter the mine but once inside conditions are fairly dry underfoot. Once inside there are 3 large mined caverns, some spoil piles, old machinery/boilers and a small pool which looks about 15/20 metres deep. So that is a brief description now onto the images from a superb day out exploring.

An old winch mechanism

Further exploration

One of the inner tunnels

Underground pool with equipment remains

Ancient boiler used for steam driven machinery

Pool/Tunnel and possible crane/winch remnants

Possibly another winch?

Ratgoed Slate Mine External Site

The former Ratgoed slate mine is situated on a steep wooded hillside above the abandoned village of Ratgoed. Ratgoed is the English version of Yr Allt Goed from Welsh which indeed means "steep wooded hillside". The mine ceased production in 1946 but many relics and evidence of it's industrial past are still visible although nature is slowly taking over. The mine is situated in the Dyfi Forest near the village of Aberllefenni. Here are some images from the surface as you can tell from the blue skies and harsh lighting on the images typically it was the hottest day of the year and we were heading underground! (more on that in the next post)

One of the old buildings slowly being consumed by the forest

A large industrial winch which was used I assume to winch the good slate down the hillside

Clearly still evident is the steep incline, slate movement route below the winch

Wagons used to transport the slate, spoil and rubble

Another building slowly decaying

One of the many slag/spoil piles on the mine site

Not sure what the initials I/R mean stamped in part of the above building

Heavy pieces of industrial iron workings