Mining Things: Confronting Loss and Flux in the Slate Industry Ruins of Northwest Wales

The ruins of the slate industry in northwest Wales, once a symbol of a thriving national industry, are now recognized as 'geological scars' that serve as monuments to industrial capitalism's transformative and often destructive impact on both physical landscapes and social environments. This study highlights how prolonged absence from an area can shift perceptions, revealing the out-of-placeness of such industrial legacies. The research approach combines personal observation with a reflective analysis of the slate industry's ruins, particularly in Rhosydd Quarry and Cwm Croesor, to confront the loss and flux inherent in these landscapes. By re-examining familiar surroundings through the lens of historical context, the study underscores the enduring implications of industrial capitalism on cultural and natural heritage.

Wigdel-Bowcott, S. (2020). Mining Things: Confronting Loss and Flux in the Slate Industry Ruins of Northwest Wales. Refract: An Open Access Visual Studies Journal, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.5070/r73151201