The major producers
The Welsh slate industry was dominated by three major quarry companies:
Penrhyn
quarry, Bethesda
Dinorwic
quarry, Llanberis
Oakeley
quarry, Blaenau Ffestiniog.
These three operations accounted for over half of all production in the industry. They set the standards in engineering, quarrying techniques, wage rates and transportation. Only one of these quarries - Penrhyn, is still in operation today while Dinorwic, which closed in 1969, is now home to the Welsh Slate Museum and Oakeley is currently mothballed. To read more about each location please click on the quarry names above.
Part of Dinorwic quarry on the slopes of Elidir Fawr.
Next page: Quarry railways and tramways