One turns off the main road to find this place. A small unmetalled track winds and twists its way up a hill. These copper mines were open in the 19th century. Many areas are fenced off due to subsiding ground. There are little buildings with chimneys all around — presumably steam power was used in there mines. There is talk of setting up a visitor centre. There is a splendid panorama over the whole rounded valley — this well repays the effort of walking up the steep hill. Many miners came over from Great Britain to work here — especially they hailed from Cornwall. This may account for the proliferation of English surnames amongst the populace of the locality. Indeed in the late 19th century when yon mines closed not a few Beara men decamped en bloc for Bute, Montana in the land of Amerikay where they used their shovels and spades to dig up other metals. There was even a Bearemens’ association there.
