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Guardian, the new memorial to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Six Bells mining disaster, has now been completed.

On 28 June 1960 a coal and gas explosion tore through the Six Bells colliery killing 45 miners. Welsh-based sculptor Sebastien Boyesen was commissioned to build a new memorial to honour the victims of the colliery disaster to coincide with the anniversary.

The 20m high statue now includes its arms, which were missing when the landmark was unveiled on the anniversary during a remembrance ceremony.

The completed Six Bells Miners' Memorial - Guardian - by Sebastien Boyesen

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and secured the £200,000 funding needed for the statue, which is a 12.6m high miner constructed of slices of corten steel standing on a 7.4m high sandstone face plinth.

The name, age and occupation of each of the 45 victims has been laser cut into the corten steel band that surrounds the plinth.

Read more on the story on the and find out more about renowned sculptor Boyesen on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Wales Arts.

While you're there, browse a gallery of photos of the memorial at different stages during its construction and watch a video clip of timelapse footage of the statue's assembly.

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