Minera Lead Mines
Mining first took place at Minera during the Middle Ages only ending around the time of the Black Death in 1349.
Work recommenced on the site in 1527 but drainage of the workings proved problematical and the mines closed again.
In 1845 the well known British mining concern of John Taylor and Sons formed the Minera Mining Company who installed pumping engines and improved drainage.
John Taylor & Sons had used a £30,000 investment at the time, yet the profits for 1864 alone were £60,000 (equivalent to over £4 Million in 2008. By 1900, the price of lead and zinc had fallen dramatically, while the price of coal used for the mine’s steam engines rose.
Pumping stopped in 1909 with equipment being sold off by 1914.
Minera Mines had their own railway which linked to the Wrexham and Minera line of the Great Western Railway at Minera Limeworks this mineral railway was sometimes referred to as the New Brighton Branch taking its name from the mining village close to the mine was.
The workings and local area underwent massive restoration and regeneration funded by Wrexham County Borough Council and the Welsh Development Agency beginning in 1988 to make sure the lead, Zinc and lime spoil tips didn't contaminate local water supplies, the Engine house was rebuilt and fitted with replica machinery and the ore dressing floor around Meadow Shaft was conserved with reconstructed least, waterwheel and buddle with a small museum created on site.
Unfortunately in recent years little maintenance appears to have been done and some of the new woodwork installed in the 1990s is deteriorating quickly. Repairs are needed urgently.
Read MoreWork recommenced on the site in 1527 but drainage of the workings proved problematical and the mines closed again.
In 1845 the well known British mining concern of John Taylor and Sons formed the Minera Mining Company who installed pumping engines and improved drainage.
John Taylor & Sons had used a £30,000 investment at the time, yet the profits for 1864 alone were £60,000 (equivalent to over £4 Million in 2008. By 1900, the price of lead and zinc had fallen dramatically, while the price of coal used for the mine’s steam engines rose.
Pumping stopped in 1909 with equipment being sold off by 1914.
Minera Mines had their own railway which linked to the Wrexham and Minera line of the Great Western Railway at Minera Limeworks this mineral railway was sometimes referred to as the New Brighton Branch taking its name from the mining village close to the mine was.
The workings and local area underwent massive restoration and regeneration funded by Wrexham County Borough Council and the Welsh Development Agency beginning in 1988 to make sure the lead, Zinc and lime spoil tips didn't contaminate local water supplies, the Engine house was rebuilt and fitted with replica machinery and the ore dressing floor around Meadow Shaft was conserved with reconstructed least, waterwheel and buddle with a small museum created on site.
Unfortunately in recent years little maintenance appears to have been done and some of the new woodwork installed in the 1990s is deteriorating quickly. Repairs are needed urgently.
