6. The Paradox of Abandoned Mines: When pollution becomes a lifeline

Cyfoeth: The Natural Resources Wales Environment Podcast

In the final episode of Cyfoeth: The Natural Resources Wales Environment Podcast series on the Ceredigion Environment Team, host Llion Bevan is joined by conservation officer Emma Ivinson to explore an unusual conservation challenge—protecting habitats that have emerged from abandoned metal mines.

While these mines are a well-known source of pollution, leaching toxic heavy metals into rivers and impacting ecosystems, they have also become home to some of the rarest and most specialised species in the UK. Emma explains how certain lichens, mosses, and plants—some found nowhere else in the world—have adapted to these extreme conditions, making old mining sites vital for conservation.

The conversation also delves into the legacy of metal mining in Wales, the threats these sites pose to water quality, and how the Wales Metal Mines Programme is working to reduce pollution while preserving the ecological and historical value of these landscapes. Cwmystwyth Mine, a site of both European conservation significance and industrial heritage, serves as a key case study, with efforts underway to clean its waters while safeguarding its rare species.

Balancing conservation, pollution mitigation, and heritage preservation is no easy task, but this episode highlights how NRW is navigating these complexities. If you’re curious about the surprising ways nature can reclaim human-altered landscapes—or how history and ecology intertwine—this episode is a must-listen.