The first vein of galena, an ore which contains silver and lead, was discovered around 1742, and active mining commenced in the 1770s.

In 2012, the site was rebranded as The Silver Mountain Experience, and included an underground horror attraction set in the mine.

[2] Another mine called the Bog, or Craignant Bach, is located to the north-east of Llywernog, and north of Ponterwyd.

[1][2] Mining likely begun in the 1770s, after the construction of a turnpike road which made ore transport by pony easier.

However, just two years later they tried to rescind their lease, as the price of lead had fallen to a level which made Llywernog unprofitable.

[2] Dunkin also bought the Rhiwrugos (now known as Erwtomau)[9] and Nantglas mines, located a couple of miles south-west of Llywernog in the Rheidol Valley.

[1] J. Holdsworth held a take-note[clarification needed] for the mine in 1851, and took out a lease in 1852, but no records show any ore sold by his company.

The price of purchasing and transporting coal was high, so the engine was only used when the water wheels could not be run.

In 1871 ponds began to be used to store water to keep the wheels running during dry periods, and this allowed the main shaft to be sunk again to its final depth of 72 fathoms (432 ft).

Plans were drawn up to sink the shaft to 82 fathoms (492 ft), but the existing 40-foot water wheel was already struggling with the depth.

In 1886 a Deed of Revocation was served for violation of the lease, but Bray and Hanson instead paid £16 a year until it expired in 1891.

[1][2] Low lead prices in 1891 forced many mines, including Powell's and Llywernog, to close.

Work continued throughout the 1970s and 1980s, restoring the buildings and mining equipment, and clearing the underground tunnels.