Gwynfynydd Gold Mine

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1kg of gold from Gwynfynydd Gold Mine that was presented to Queen Elizabeth II in 1986

Gwynfynydd Gold Mine near Ganllwyd, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, Wales, was discovered in 1860. It was active until 1998 and has produced 45,000+ troy ounces of Welsh gold since 1884. The Queen was presented with a kilogram of Welsh gold on her 60th birthday (April 1986) from this mine.[1]

In the 1990s the mine was open to the public and provided guided tours which included the opportunity to pan for gold.

Gold from the Gwynfynydd Mine has been used in many modern awards. Notably, Gwynfynydd gold has been incorporated in the prestigious Glyndŵr Award. This medal has been awarded annually since 1995 by the Machynlleth Tabernacl Trust, for excellence in the arts in Wales. Recipients have included many outstanding Welsh artists, beginning with painter Sir Kyffin Williams in 1995.

The mine closed because of Health and Safety issues, which would have almost doubled the cost of sinking mine shafts and galleries, and because of changing pollution control legislation which would have made the owners liable for the quality of the mine discharge into the River Mawddach had the mine remained open.

The land surrounding Gwynfynydd Gold Mine was previously owned by Welsh Gold Plc, but has recently been acquired by Clogau Gold of Wales Ltd. Clogau purchased circa 80 acres of land surrounding the mine in mid-2013, giving them more control of Welsh gold production.

The aim is to develop the mine to be the first rurally sensitive hydro scheme, generating electricity for the local area. Then in the long term Clogau will look at the feasibility of mining the mine for another source of Welsh gold.

See also

References

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