John H Luxton Photography

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  1. Industrial Archaeology
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Parys Mountain Copper Mine

Mining for copper at Parys Mountain is believed to date back to the Bronze Age around 4,000 years ago. Later the Romans also exploited the copper reserves. Mining on a larger scale commenced in the 18th Century.

By the 1780s the mine had become the largest in Europe and its output was responsible for putting the Cornish Mines under pressure. The mine eventually closed around 1904.

In 1988 Anglesey Mining plc undertook exploratory work sinking the Morris Shaft and have discovered reserves of 6,500,000 tonnes containing 10% combined zinc, lead, copper with some silver and gold. Commercial mining has yet to commence though the company owns leases on much of the site.

Though recent work has seen the sinking of a new shaft, Parys Mountain is noted for the massive pit known as the Great Opencast. The dumps and contamination of the soil means few plants grow and the whole mine site presents an unusual appearance. This has led to its use as a filming location for sci-fi and fantasy movies in recent years.

The Parys Mountain Mine is an anchor point on the European Route of Industrial Heritage. For detailed information on the mine please visit: http://www.parysmountain.co.uk/
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  • Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    View to the Morris Shaft - sunk by Anglesey Mining in 1988.

  • Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    The dumps and pools provide a wide range of colours on a sunny day. Unlike many mine sites only limited vegetation exists on this extensive site.

  • Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    View to the north west

  • Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    View towards the windmill used for pumping. A Cornish style engine house exists at Pearl Shaft - unfortunately lack of time prevented me from photographing it on this visit. In recent years it has been conserved.

  • Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Remains of mine buildings can be seen in the foreground - beyond can be seen the Great Opencast.

  • Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Approaching the Great Opencast

  • Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Approaching the Great Opencast

  • Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    The viewing area from which visitors can look into the Great Opencast.

  • Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    View from the upper viewing platform.

  • Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    The Great Opencast - looks very much like an alien world. One can appreciate the location's appeal for TV / Film producers.

  • Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    The Great Opencast - looks very much like an alien world. One can appreciate the location's appeal for TV / Film producers.

  • Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    The Great Opencast - looks very much like an alien world. One can appreciate the location's appeal for TV / Film producers.

  • Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Interpretation board at the visitor view point

  • Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    The Great Opencast and Windmill.

  • Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    The colourful yet alien looking Great Opencast and Windmill.

  • Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    The Great Opencast and Windmill.

  • Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    View across to the south east where the remains of mine buildings can be seen.

  • Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    L2018_1173

  • Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Peak of a waste tip

  • Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Another view of the windmill

  • Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    The a cloud had removed the sunshine from the windmill - darkening it against the lighter rocks of the Great Opencast.

  • Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    The a cloud had removed the sunshine from the windmill - darkening it against the lighter rocks of the Great Opencast.

  • Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    View to the Morris Shaft - sunk by Anglesey Mining in 1988.

  • Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018

    View to the Morris Shaft - sunk by Anglesey Mining in 1988.

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    Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018
    Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018
    Parys Mountain Copper Mine, Anglesey, Wales - April 28, 2018