A group of volunteers have removed mountains of rubbish from a 19th Century mine near Corris Uchaf in Gwynedd. The mine had become a popular spot for Instagram photo seekers, who had been leaving behind an alarming amount of garbage and graffiti. The site was once used for industrial mining; however, after it closed, people began dumping cars and televisions into the mine’s two main chambers above a lake. This created the unusual sight of a rusting scrap metal heap that gets illuminated by shafts of sunlight at certain times of day. The presence of these cars has also been documented in a YouTube video that has garnered more than six million views.
Anthony Taylor, a caver who led the cleanup effort, believes that social media has played a significant role in the rise of littering. He said that people turn up at the mines just to take photos and then leave behind a mess. Taylor and his fellow cavers hauled as many dinghies out as they could. They also launched a bigger cleanup with six volunteers on March 22, where they removed as much trash and graffiti as they could. Taylor fears that if the misuse continues, sites like Gaewern may be sealed off and lost to everyone forever.
Taylor also found old mining tools and equipment at the abandoned mines, including a 170-year-old barrow and hobnailed boots. He wants to educate people about the value of old mines. He said that people go to these places because they have an inherent value, making it worthwhile to preserve these sites for everyone to enjoy. However, Instagram appears to be killing many of these beautiful places as individuals leave behind their litter and cause destruction.
Taylor’s work in the mine, along with his determination to educate others on the importance of preserving these places, is inspiring. It is only through the effort of individuals like him that we can hope to preserve such gems for future generations
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