A London-listed company is pushing to re-open a historic Welsh mine after tests showed it could contain vast swathes of copper, zinc and other precious metals.
Anglesey Mining has unveiled plans to build new 630-metre shafts into Parys Mountain, which was first mined during the Bronze Age. Should the proposal be approved, the business would succeed in creating the UK’s only current copper mine.
The mine itself was first accessed roughly 3,500 years ago by Welsh tribes who used it to make weapons and other artefacts. But they, along with the Romans and others in following centuries, could only access deposits near the surface.
Now deep test drilling carried out by Anglesey Mining suggests there are deposits rich in metals, also including zinc and lead, going down hundreds of metres. They are thought to originate in ancient volcanic vents that raised minerals from the Earth’s core. Estimates suggest the ore could also hold 3,000 kilograms (6,614lbs) of gold and over 200 tonnes of silver.
The company has asked planners to approve an environmental impact assessment on building new mining shafts.
Rob Marsden, chief executive of Anglesey Mining, said the mine also contained deposits of silver and lead.
He said: “Parys Mountain is demonstrably the largest and most advanced project for mining copper, gold, silver, lead and zinc in the UK.
“The project is favourably located on a previously permitted development site with significant existing infrastructure already in place.”
He said the new application was aimed at reassuring local people that any new mining would be carried out with minimal impact on the environment. However, it would involve significant surface works, including a processing plant to extract metals from the rock, ventilation shafts and storage areas for the tailings and other waste.
Mr Marsden added: “Copper, zinc, silver and lead are essential metals for the UK’s energy transition towards electricity and away from fossil fuels. This mine would give the UK its own supplies.”
During the 18th and 19th centuries, Parys Mountain was the world’s biggest copper mine and used Cornish tin miners to reach depths of a few hundred feet. However, pumping technology at the time failed to keep out water and the mine eventually closed.
If the project were approved it would be the UK’s only domestic source of copper. The country uses about 150,000 tonnes a year, all of which is currently imported. The metal is vital as an electrical conductor – a single large wind turbine may need up to a tonne of the metal. And it is also widely used in construction and the marine industry because of its ability to resist corrosion.
The North Wales Minerals and Waste Planning Service will consider Anglesey Mining’s application shortly.
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