Dylife - Installation of road drainage and modification of channel

Abandoned metal mines cause significant pollution in Wales, harming river ecology with metals like cadmium, lead, zinc and copper. There are approximately 1,300 abandoned metal mines across Wales that have been estimated to impact over 700 km of rivers.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and the Mining Remediation Authority (MRA) are working together on the Metal Mine Programme to address this polluting legacy. The Programme is funded by Welsh Government.

The primary aim of the Programme is, where technically and financially feasible, to reduce pollution from abandoned metal mines to improve the health of our rivers, benefiting the environment, people and the economy. In doing so this will directly contribute to the sustainable management of natural resources in Wales, and enhance community well-being benefits, as detailed in the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 and the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

The Dylife project forms part of a wider programme of works, intended to reduce river pollution and help restore river health downstream of the mine.

The works required at the Site are to prevent the mixing of clean water with contaminated ground and water. MRA plans to undertake four phases of works at Dylife; this contract is for the target cost setting and construction of Phases 1 and 2 only. An indication of the programmed construction dates are given in brackets below:

• Phase 1 - Installation of road drainage comprising road gullies and carrier drains, adjacent to the public road (planned construction April 2026 onwards).

• Phase 2 - Lining of the Nant Dropyns, including channel modification and lining with concrete canvas. Capping of the dressing floor with an impermeable barrier and laying of surface water intercepting drainage (planned construction September 2026 onwards).