Nant Yr Eira Bronze Age Copper Mine, Powys

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Nant Yr Eira is a secluded lead and copper mine perched atop Plynlimon's slopes in west Montgomeryshire. The earliest excavation here dates back to a deep open-cut, measuring 95 meters long by 6 meters wide and 7 meters deep, located on the upper stream section that mined a copper ore vein. Archaeological evidence found in trench excavations across old spoil tips lining the open-cut indicates mining activities during the Bronze Age between 2000 and 1500 BC, with discoveries of broken hammer stones, charcoal, and antler pick fragments. Lower down the hillside lies the Snowbrook Lead Mine remains (1858-87), featuring a single ore bin, sorting platform, and stone tramway embankment leading to the prominent wheel pit of the crusher house. Below the crusher house is a formerly roofed over platform, while down by the stream are buddle and jigger processing tips with remnants of the jigger platforms and circular buddles. On the slope above the crusher house, grass-covered tips lead from the main shaft and a possible barrack and office building can be seen.