Mine levels and spoil heaps, many now obscured by vegetation, provide evidence of a history of mining activity in the locality where lead and zinc were mined extensively.

Rich mineral intrusions occurred in the limestone around Graig Fawr. These veins ran predominantly from south west to north east and were mined extensively. The Talargoch mines were probably first dug by the Romans to extract silver or possibly lead. Silver continued to be mined during the Middle Ages and up to the mid-18th century when lead and zinc extraction became more profitable. Talargoch was one of the most important lead mines in the area, reaching its peak in the 1850s. At least ten shafts were sunk around Meliden, all connected underground by horizontal 'levels' following the ore veins. The main shaft was over 330m deep, but with the sea so near and the mine's low lying position, water seeping through the porous limestone became a major problem. The engine house at the Clive Shaft was built in the 1860s to house a massive steam engine for pumping water from the southern end of the mine workings. It is still visible today, adjacent to the Graig Park Hotel & Country Club. Unfortunately, the increasing costs of keeping the mine dry meant that the company was unable to compete against cheap imported ores, so in 1884 the mine closed.

The development of the mines and quarries was the main reason behind the growth of the villages of Meliden and Dyserth. The former Prestatyn-Dyserth railway line, along which a recreational footpath now runs, was originally built to serve the two industries. The opening of the railway in 1869 made transporting the ore far easier than the previous method of shipping it from the tiny ports of Rhuddlan or Prestatyn.

Information currently being compiled....
In the meantime see the Meliden History Timeline


A mine of historical information
A VILLAGE'S mining heritage has become a gateway landmark. Meliden has a history of lead mining and at one time hundreds of miners worked in the village.
The village is also near the last deep mine pit in North Wales at Point of Ayr, and Meliden Residents' Action Group wanted to do something to acknowledge the importance of these industries. Now a pit wheel and mining carts have been set at the entrance to the village in the first phase of the group's heritage project for Meliden.

Denbighshire Countryside Warden Gary Davies and local artist and blacksmith Richard Jones, who is based at Dyserth Industrial Estate, have been working on the project, along with local painter and decorator Gwyn Thomas, who has agreed to paint the artefacts free of charge now they are in place.

Residents living near the gateway to the village will also be closely involved in the design of the site. The action group is now working with other residents interested in the history of the village on a number of other similar heritage projects, including local leaflets, a book, and interpretation boards explaining the history of the mining industry.

Cllr Rhiannon Hughes said: "The residents' group is keen to develop a number of projects celebrating the important history of the village. We see these projects as helping to attract visitors to the village, which we hope will help enahnce the good name of Meliden and support the local businesses."