The author of a new book on Snowdonia’s slate mines and quarries is calling for the conservation of the sites.

Des Marshall has put together a comprehensive record of some of the area’s abandoned mines and quarries in Snowdonia Slate, The Industrial Heritage of a National Park.

“The aim of this book is to illustrate and record the current surface remains of some of the abandoned slate mines and quarries of Snowdonia,” he explained.

“It is not exhaustive as there are over 500 quarries and mines, as well as early surface scratchings, in the area.

“Only the main mines and quarries with the more recognisable remains are recorded herein.

“Short notes on the quarries or mines have been included. I have done this before what can be seen today disintegrates further at the hands of nature or vandals.

“I also feel that the Snowdonia slate areas are a big part of its heritage and need to be conserved.

“Quarrying and mining slate was once a booming industry that added much to the local economy...”

He went on: “Spoil heaps are often the only vestige of this proud industry but there are still some that have the remains of buildings, such as barracks and waliau; drum houses; tramways; railway lines and of course remarkable inclines. Fortunately many of the remains are indeed quite substantial.

“The majority of the mines and quarries are situated on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park but are intertwined into the history of Snowdonia having played an integral part in the history of the area.”

Hoping for conservation again, he added: “Nowadays much of the history of these places has been relegated to the past and forgotten about with little or no thought or regard about preserving or even conserving any of what does remain.

“This is a very sad reflection of the toil and hardship the quarrymen and miners experienced whilst putting their lives at risk to obtain slate.”

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