James Evans has urged the Welsh Government to make the most of the educational and tourism potential of disused metal mines.

The Brecon and Radnorshire MS said at the Senedd that the mines can be a danger to public health and waterways if they're not managed correctly.

But he added: “With the correct management and restoration, they can also have great potential for a focus for educational and tourism opportunities across Wales.

“Many of these mines are nestled in scenic areas, with footpaths, cycling paths and other developing tourism infrastructure.”

Mr Evans asked then-First Minister, Mark Drakeford, what the Government is doing to help clean up and restore disused metal mines in Wales and to use them to promote the country’s rich historical and cultural differences.

Mr Drakeford said Natural Resources Wales are concentrating their efforts and the funding they have on the 50 abandoned metal mines that have the greatest capacity to do damage to the environment.

He said: “That has to be our top priority - it has to be to do things to attend to the long industrial heritage that we have in Wales.

“In this case, that heritage goes back far beyond the 19th century.

“I agree that our first priority is to do everything we can in relation to safety, but there will be opportunities in that for those communities as well.”