Penrhyn Quarry

The Penrhyn Quarry ( Penrhyn Slate Quarry ) is a large quarry near Bethesda in Wales. The quarry is considered the largest shale mining site in the world and was like the Dinorwic Quarry during the heyday of the slate industry in Wales is of great economic importance for the region.

The quarry was established in 1770 by Richard Pennant. But it is likely that was obtained on a small scale slate here before. The slates were produced, transported into the coastal city of Port Penrhyn with its own narrow-gauge railway, which in 1798 established Penrhyn Quarry Railway. The railroad is one of the oldest in the world.

The Penrhyn Quarry also has an important place in the history of the British labor movement. Twice took place here long strikes of the workers who wanted to so enforce a better pay and safer working conditions. The first strike, which began in 1896, lasted eleven months. The second strike began on November 22, 1900 and lasted for three years.

Slate is still mined in the Penrhyn Quarry and processed into shingles. However, the reduction does not reach the extent that he had during the 19th century.

In 2007 the Welsh Slate Limited bought the quarry from the Alfred McAlpine Slate Limited for 31 million pounds.

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