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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 _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail messages direct to your mobile phone http://www.msn.co.uk/mobile