Running along the south-eastern fringes of picturesque Coed y Brenin Forest Park in North Wales, the Afon Wen River isn’t a place in which one would usually expect to see police investigators taking an active interest. In May, however, North Wales Police did exactly that, launching an investigation into the activities of suspected gold panners in the river.
The police are reportedly supporting government body Natural Resources Wales (NRW) in monitoring activity at the Afon Wen. While gold panning isn’t illegal in itself, NRW has expressed concern that panners could be inadvertently damaging the riverbed and banks, the flora and fauna of which have seen it declared an area of special scientific interest.
“We are investigating the legality of gold panning activity on NRW-managed land in the Afon Wen at Hermon, near Dolgellau,” said Detective Constable Eryl Lloyd. “Our aim is always to work with others to protect the environment. However, if this is not possible we will take legal action.”
Although NRW has refused to speak in detail about the activity for fear of encouraging new prospectors to try their luck, the agency was quick to point out that the activity has been very small-scale, likely only involving a few individuals. No Gwynedd gold rush just yet, then.
Local gold panners argue that they are continuing a centuries-old tradition of prospecting in the area. The target, in the past and today: So-called ‘Welsh gold’, which has been mined in certain regions of Wales for thousands of years. The rarity and unique heritage of this commodity has seen it described as the world’s most sought-after gold, with a value to match. What is the history of this much-mythologised Welsh gold, and what are the secrets behind its enduring allure?
