Dolaucothi
Gold Mine
Pumsaint, Carmarthenshire, SA19 8RR, UK.
Tel.
44 (0)1558 650177 |
|
The Dolaucothi Gold Mine is the only Roman gold mine in the UK
open to the public, and lies near the village of Pumsaint in rural
Carmarthenshire, south Wales.
Set amid wooded
hills in the valley of the River Cothi, the gold mine has a history
that spans centuries. Evidence from a fort and settlement nearby
reveals that the Romans mined gold at Dolaucothi almost 2000 years
ago, from 75AD until around 140AD (although it is possible that
the mines were worked earlier than Roman times). 
Any
gold extracted would have been sent to Rome to be minted. After
lying abandoned for hundreds of years, mining at Dolaucothi was
resumed in the 19th and 20th centuries, until the mine was finally
closed in 1938.
Remains of
Roman workings include an open cast mine, pits, water channels
and tanks, while the mine yard contains a collection of 1930's
mining machinery. Visitors can take a guided tour into the underground
workings, and have a go at panning for gold. There are also exhibitions
on the history of gold and gold mining. The surrounding countryside
is home to the rare species of the Red Kite, and there are waymarked
walking trails leading through the woodland and along the riverside
close to the mine. There are also cycle routes, and facilities
for fishing and horse riding in the nearby area.
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