METAL MINE STRATEGY FOR WALES.  Anon,  June 2002,   138 pp, 50 location
map, etc.  Sponsored by the Welsh Assembly Government, published by the
Environment Agency Wales, 29 Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 0TP no price
given.

One of the principal roles of the Environmental Agency is to ensure the
protection of the aquatic environment.  In 1966 a mines database was
commissioned, this listed 1,311 non-ferrous metal mines sites in Wales.
Of these 204 sites were thought to be causing pollution, either from
metal rich dust from old spoil heaps or by diffuse pollution from
contaminated sites.  The latter is thought to adversely effect the water
quality of one fifth of the rivers in Wales.

The legacy of metal mining has also created valuable, and, in some
instances, internationally important archaeological, mineralogical and
biological features.

For the first time, this strategy document brings together these
sometimes differing views on the Agency’s top 50 sites recognised as
having the greatest environmental impact.

These sites are Abbey Consuls, Aberdaunant, Alltycrib, Bog, Bronfloyd,
Brynyrafr, Bwlchgwyn, Caegynon, Castell, Cwm Rheidol, Cwmsymlog,
Cwmystwyth, Cystanog, Daren, Dolaucothi, Dyfngwm, Dylife, Esgarffraith,
Esgairlle, Esgairmwyn Old, Frongoch, Geirionydd, Glogfawr, Goginan,
Graiggoch, Grogwynnion, Gwynfynydd, Hafan, Henfwlch, Level Fawr,
Llanfair, Llanfyrnach, Llwynteify, Llywernog, Logaulas, Mynyddorgorddu,
Nant Minera, Nantycreiau, Nantymwyn, Parc, Parys, Penrhiw, Penycefn,
Powell’s, Rheidol United, Temple, Ty’n y Fron, Wemyss, and Ystumtuen.
The majority of these mines are in Ceredigion with 1 in Pembrokeshire, 3
in Carmarthenshire, 3 in Powys, 1 in Gwynedd, 3 in Conwy and 1 in
Anglesey.

The specific objectives of this piece of work are to bring together the
specific views of various stakeholders in one document, identify sites,
and to make better informed decisions regarding the prioritisation of
sites.

Over twenty organisations have provided both general and site specific
details.  These organisations include: Mining Companies, Mining Museums,
Mining Societies, County Councils, Archaeological Trusts, Forest
Enterprise, Wild Life Trusts, and The National Trust etc.

By drawing on the data held by these numerous organisations, this
strategy, for the first time, presents a realistic picture of potential
issues, concerns and views on the top fifty polluting metal mine sites in 
Wales that the Agency wish to see addressed.  A breakdown of the full
response received from stakeholders for each mine is contained within the 
main report.

The Agency intends to appoint a part time Project Officer for an initial
two year period to develop the findings in this document.  The remit will 
include remedial options, collaborative projects, bids for funds and the 
development of a strategy for sites not on the initial top fifty list.

It is possible to download an electronic version of Metal Mine Stategy
for Wales from:

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/regions/wales/426317/393155/

TO


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