From the early 1700s to the late 1800s, Swansea was the world's leading copper-smelting area.W. H. Dennis, 100 Years of Metallurgy (Chicago: Aldine, 1963) 128. Numerous smelters along the River Tawe received copper and other metal ores shipped from Cornwall and Devon, as well as from North and South America, Africa, and Australia. The industry declined severely in the late 1800s, and none of the smelters are now active.
From the early 1700s to the late 1800s, Swansea wa?s the w.orld's leading copper-smelting area.W. H. Dennis, 100 Years of Metallurgy (Chicago: Aldine, 1963) 128. Numerous smelters along the River Tawe received copper an.d other metal ores shipped from Cornwall and Devon, as wel.l as from North and South America, Africa, and Australia. The industry declined severely in the late 1800s, and none of the smelters are now active.