The Welsh Potosi

By Ioan Lord

The Plynlimon Mountains, situated in the heart of central Wales and the wider Cambrian Mountains, were once known by a different name, a name that was composed to reflect the riches of South America during the seventeenth century. The mountainous region stretching north from Ponterwyd was christened the ‘Welsh Potosi’, after the Worldfamous Potosí silver mines in Bolivia. Over fifty mines were opened to extract the ores of lead, zinc, copper and silver, and numerous plans were made to construct railways and other transportation links from the mountains to the coast. Villages and scattered communities were established high in the hills, as the Plynlimon Mountains became populated with miners and engineers living alongside farmers and shepherds. Dwellings and landmarks were given names such as the ‘California of Wales’, the ‘Welsh Broken Hill’ and ‘Spain’. The ‘Welsh Potosi’ grew to be so important that it led to a significant change in the future of British metal mining in 1693. Today, the industrial significance of these hills between Aberystwyth and Llangurig is largely forgotten, and the name has long vanished from every map. It is hoped that this book will breathe new life and interest into the once-famous ‘Welsh Potosi’.

Priced £45.00

Published September 2023

Hardback, 320 pages

Only available from our bookshop and webshop: https://www.rheidolrailway.co.uk/shop