Description and History of Site:-
The lead smelt mill for Cononley mine (see NYK01648) consisted of one ore hearth and one slag-hearth (M.C. Gill).
An undershot waterwheel using Nethergill Beck culverted beneath the mill powered the mills hearth bellows.
It has been estimated that from 1858 6 tons of pig lead was produced here per week from 13 tons of ore at the mills 71% recovery rate. Most of the lead produced here was taken by barge on the canal just over a mile away from the mid 1770's and sold to Horner and Fell at the Craven Lead Works in Skipton (see NYK01669).
From the rear of the mill a double flue ran up the side of Gibb hill to a condenser, continuing to the original chimney (no longer evident). c1852 the flue was extended via Joy's Level and air shaft to the current chimney on the summit of Gibb at 272m. Further opportunity to recover condensed lead fume from the level was taken.
Adjacent to the smelt mill was the Low Dressing Floor, powered by an 8.2m x 0.9m undershot waterwheel, which operated a stamp mill and a crushing mill. Close by was the Deep Adit Crosscut portal which provided natural drainage to the deepest parts of the mine, also the main egress of lead ore from the mine to the dressing floor and smelt mill. The already partially dressed ore was tipped down Taylor's Shaft into waiting wagons and trammed out of the Deep Adit Crosscut portal.
The smelt mill, built c1839-40, was demolished and removed from site in the 1920's. One hearth arch is still evident. The adjacent dressing floor equipment, although removed from site, traces of the waterwheel bearing and stamp mill remain. The Deep Adit Crosscut portal is still intact and issuing mine drain water.
The collapsed flue, running up Gibb hill is evident, and the restored flue chimney still stands proud on the hill summit.
The mine offices and headquarters were located here, at Nethergill House (dated 1846). The smelt mill was built around 1839/40.
Joy's Level (named for William Joy who drove the level) started in 1850.
c1852 the flue was extended from the original chimney (no longer evident), by joining it to the now disused Joy's Level and continuing along the level and air shaft to the current chimney on Gib hill.
The smelt mill closed in 1871 (M.C. Gill).
The site was demolished and cleared 1920's.

Further Reading and References:-
Gill, M C. The Yorkshire and Lancashire lead mines. British Mining, No 33, p8-38.
Gill, M C. British Mining No 48, p137-138.

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Key Words :- lead mining smelting flue chimney

Viewing the Site :- Chimney and flue can be seen from the top of Netherghyll Road, Cononley, also from the public footpath that starts alongside the Institute in Cononley village.

Address :- Netherghyll Lane, Cononley, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD20 8PB
Grid Ref :- SD 98271 46594
Co-ordinates :- Lat 53.915490 , Long -2.027809
Local Authority :- Craven District Council
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - North Riding
Site Status :- Site demolished or no longer extant
Site Condition :- Earthworks only
Site Dates :- 1839-40 - 1871
Record Date :- 26 May 2018

Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © Andrew Garford