Sygun Mine (Show Mine)

Location
SH 605 488

Directions
It is clearly signposted along the A498 just outside of Beddgelert (heading towards Capel curig)

Access
This is a show mine and there is an entry fee (£8.50 as at 28/03/09). There are additional adits above which are outside the scope of the private land which the show mine rests on – access to these is unknown.

Suggested Equipment
None

Length
Perhaps ½ mile for the show mine
The length of the additional adits is unknown

Flood risk
None known

Mine Attributes
Copper (malachite) with heavy intrusions of sulphur and iron. Some superb decorations.

Description
The show mine boasts a long entry adit to several exhibits and two areas which have fantastic decorations. The mine climbs steep stairs and comes out higher up the mountain.

The passages here are heavy in sulphur and iron with little evidence of calcite. A couple of pockets of malachite remain as evidence of the mineral worked here.

There are a number of additional adits above and to the side of the show mine and none of these have so far been explored by this postee although the owner of the show mine believes that some of these adits do interconnect.

If you visit the show mine expect to be mooching for around an hour and grab yourself a cup of tea in the café.

If you intend to investigate the other mine adits expect some difficult scrambling.

Unexplored Passges
A vast amount of the main mine and all of the other adits on the mountainside remain unexplored

Digs
None known.

Links
http://www.syguncoppermine.co.uk/

http://www.wales-underground.org.uk/sygun/

http://www.mine-explorer.co.uk/mines/Sygun_653/Sygun.asp

http://www.welshicons.org.uk/html/sygun_copper_mine.php

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/23133

http://www.aditnow.co.uk/photo/Sygun-Copper-Mine-User-Album-Image-005/