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

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 8853
Trust : Clwyd Powys
Community : Churchstoke
Unitary authority : Powys
NGR : SO30209763
Site Type (preferred type first) : MODERN BARYTES MINE / MODERN LEAD MINE

Summary :
The mines at Cliffdale, 3.2km north-east of Churchstoke on the border between Montgomeryshire and Shropshire are recorded as having produced lead and barytes between 1914 and 1918. Lead had multiple applications including small arms production, but also the production of batteries, metal lubrication, paint and solder. Barytes was used to produce barium, which had more limited uses including forming an additive to various metals for specialist applications such as bearings and spark plug tips

Description :
Lead/Barytes (1914-1918)

Geology
Ordovician volcanics of the Stapley formation. The main vein strikes east-west. Mineralisation includes galena, barytes and calcite.

Workings
These consist of four shafts which include Weston Shaft SO30009767, Powis Shaft SO30129758, Bower's Shaft SO30209772 and Sump Shaft SO30319782. All of these are now infilled. Sump shaft could not be located with any certainty.

Transport
No evidence.

Power
No evidence.

Processing
No evidence.

Other features
No evidence.

The mines at Cliffdale, 3.2km north-east of Churchstoke on the border between Montgomeryshire and Shropshire are recorded as having produced lead and barytes
between 1914 and 1918. Lead had multiple applications including small arms production, but also the production of batteries, metal lubrication, paint and solder. Barytes was used to
produce barium, which had more limited uses including forming an additive to various metals for specialist applications such as bearings and spark plug tips (Logan & Spencer, 2017).

Sources :
Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust , 1978 , Site visit record - PRN8853
Foster-Smith, J R , 1978 , The Mines of Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire
Holding, S R , 1992 , A Survey of the Metal Mines of South Shropshire , Shropshire Caving and Mining Club Account : 12 : 28
Logan, W., & Spencer, J , 2017 , First World War Industry in East and North-east Wales: Scheduling Enhancement Programme ( © )
Ordnance Survey , 1882 , OS map
Pearce, A.J. , 1994 , Cliffdale Mine, Site Visit.

Events :
151993 : Churchstoke, Cliffdale Mine, site visit, 1994 (year : 1994)
167136 : First World War Industry in East and North-east Wales, Scheduling Enhancement Programme, 2017 (year : 2017)

Related records

Compiled date : 31-12-1988


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.

June 7, 2025, 8:29 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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