Here in Wales cobalt is widespread in small amounts. In the north, some
oxide ores were worked at Moel Hiraddug near Dyserth, as well as iron
ochres and hematite.
In the Dolgellau Gold Belt cobaltite is a minor but widespread ore mineral,
rarely in quantities where it could be separated. Pink erythrite is
conspicuous in places but is almost always the result of post-mining
weathering, forming sub-1mm thick coatings.
In Central Wales some of the Talybont mines and notably Erglodd contain
significant amounts of the Co-Ni sulphide siegenite. Asays of vein material
give up to 3% Co/Ni.It was noted on the dumps by O.T. Jones, who mistook it
for pyrite (which, conversely, is rare at that site). Go to my website,
page: http://www.cyber-space.co.uk/johntherock/pagethreec.html for pix of
siegenite.
However, with the exception of Moel Hiraddug, no commercial production has
been recorded. Erglodd is almost certainly one of the cluster of Bronze Age
mines in the Mid Wales area (stone hammers common on tips), so it makes you
wonder if anyone did look at cobalt there over the last 3000 years, or
whether they simply did as OTJ and dismissed the stuff as pyrite!
Cheers - John
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