Parc Metal Mine in the Gwydir Forest, Conwy, is currently one of the most significant sites within the Wales Metal Mines Programme due to its impact on local water quality. It has been identified as a major source of metal pollution to the Nant Gwydir and the Afon Conwy, contributing to the water body failing to meet the standards required by the Water Framework Directive.
Janet Finch-Saunders MS, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and the Environment, was pleased to visit Parc Metal Mine in North Wales, with the Mining Remediation Authority and Natural Resources Wales so to see the progress being made in developing plans to tackle this major source of pollution.
Annual pollution from Parc includes approximately:
- 3,600 kg of zinc
- 67 kg of lead
- 17 kg of cadmium
Commenting after the visit, Janet said:
“I would like to thank the officials at both the Mining Remediation Authority and Natural Resources Wales for their invaluable project to reduce pollution from Parc Mine.
“In short, river health cannot be restored nor water quality improved in the Conwy River without tackling this source of pollution.
“Bearing in mind that there are over 1,300 abandoned mines in Wales contributing to metal pollution in rivers, I am pleased that Parc is being prioritised”.
ENDS
Photo:
Janet Finch-Saunders MS at Parc Metal Mine
