CPAT Regional Historic Environment Record
The following information is from the on-line database 'Archwilio'.
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Nantyricket Mine

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 8476
Trust : Clwyd Powys
Community : Llanidloes Without
Unitary authority : Powys
NGR : SN86558678
Site Type (preferred type first) : MULTIPERIOD COPPER MINE

Description :
Copper (Prehistoric ?/19th century)

Geology
Ordovician grits and conglomerates of the Lower Van Formation with chalcopyrite and calcite veins striking ENE.

Workings
An adit at the rivers edge on the north side of the Severn, probably 19th century in date. SN86708676.

A deep narrow opencut on the south side associated with a small processing area and spoil tip close to the rivers edge. SN86658676.

A wide opencut north of the present forestry track at SN87158678.

O.T. Jones recorded a deep narrow opencut 200yds east of the main adit known as the 'Thieves Den' where a number of hammerstones are recorded on the spoil tips along with charcoal and burnt stone, presumably from firesetting. This site has not been located.

Transport
An inclined trackway connects the adit to the present forest road above.

Power
No evidence.

Processing
There is some evidence of hand sorting and limited dressing close to the narrow opencut on the south side of the stream.

Other features
A rectangular building of unknown use is located downstream of the narrow opencut on the south side of the Severn SN86698678. Two internal divisions are visible and it appears to be drystone walled. This structure may be related to farming activity or it may be a small mine office related to 19th century workings mentioned above. (Powys Metal Mines project, 1992)

Few traces of the recorded mine are present, with the exception of some stone-built revetments next to the river at its approximate location and some mineralised rock in the riverbed. The area is, however, now very overgrown with trees and difficult to access. It seems likely that the workings on the S side of the river have been filled in or covered by earthmoving related to the construction of the forestry road which runs along that part of the valley. No physical evidence of prehistoric working was found but the nature of the site has similarities with the prehistoric mining at Nant yr Eira, which is only some 3.5km to the W. (RH 24/02/2010)

Sources :
Bick, D E , 1977 , The Old Metal Mines of Mid Wales 4
Bick, D E , 1990 , The Old Metal Mines Of Mid-Wales
Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust , 1983 , Site visit record - PRN8476
Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust , 1995 , Site visit record - PRN8476
Foster-Smith, J R , 1978 , The Mines of Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire
Hamer, E , 1870 , A parochial history of Llangurig , The Montgomeryshire Collections : 3 : 232-300
Hankinson, R , 2010 , Mines and Quarries. The Scheduling Enhancement Programme ( © Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust)
Hankinson, R, Britnell, B & Silvester, R J , 2012 , Medieval and Early Post-Medieval Industry in East and North-East Wales: Scheduling Enhancement Programme ( © CPAT)
Jones, J A & Moreton, N J M , 1977 , The Mines and Minerals of Mid-Wales
Jones, O T , 1922 , Lead and Zinc. The Mining District of North Cardiganshire and West Montgomeryshire
Ordnance Survey , 1886 , OS map
Thomas, D , 1998 , Hafren Forest Archaeological Assessment ( © Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust)

Events :
115395 : Mines and Quarries: Scheduling Enhancement Project, assessment project 2010 (year : 2010)
123124 : Medieval and Post-Medieval Industry, assessment project 2011-12 (year : 2011-12)
141996 : Medieval and Post-Medieval Industry, desk based assessment 2011-12 (year : 2011-12)

Related records
CPAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 8476

Compiled date : 31-12-1995


Images :



Archaeological data, from the Historic Environment Record, supplied by The Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust in partnership with Local Authorities, Cadw and the partners of ENDEX © CPAT, 2025 (and in part © Crown, 2025). It is intended to be used for private research only and is not for use as part of commercial projects. If you wish to use this information for publication in printed or multimedia form or to compile resources for commercial use, prior permission must be obtained in writing. Use of this information is subject to the terms and conditions of access to HER data published on CPAT's website. Please contact the HER if you have any further questions regarding this information. Please quote the Primary Reference Numbers (PRNs) in any correspondence.

April 22, 2025, 1:29 pm - File produced for Archwilio from CPAT's Regional HER.
Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust, The Offices, Coed y Dinas, Welshpool, Powys, SY21 8RP
tel (01938) 553670, email her@cpat.org.uk, website www.cpat.org.uk

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