Wednesday, 25th October 2006 (1333 views)

It seems gold mining is having a positive impact on the natural environment, as a rare bat has been discovered in a disused gold mine in Carmarthenshire, south Wales.

The greater horseshoe bat, which is one of the most endangered species in the UK, has made a home at the National Trust's Dolaucothi Gold Mines, reports the icWales website. It was found by a local bat monitoring group which observes and records bats in the area.

Lesser horseshoe bats have also been spotted at the site, as well as common and soprano pipistrelle bats, the Daubenton's bat, the noctule bat and the Natterer's bat.

Paul Faulkner, the National Trust's property manager at the Dolaucothi Gold Mines, told icWales: "We've noticed an increase in the number of species of bats found in the mines each year, which is fantastic, but finding the incredibly rare greater horseshoe bat at the site really is the icing on the cake.

"We avoid taking visitors to areas of the mine that we know are frequently used by the bats, and if there is any future work carried out in the mine we take the necessary steps to ensure the least amount of disruption is caused."

The Dolaucothi Gold Mines are the only known Roman gold mines in Britain. The site was first exploited some 2,000 years ago before falling into disuse.

Mining resumed once again in the 19th century and continued through to the 20th century, reaching a peak in 1938. No longer in use, they are now owned by the National Trust and are open to the public.

 

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