Iron ore was extracted during 1862-1875 from deep pits at Brook Hill, near St Peter’s Church just east of the River Frome. The principal pits were Red Gin Pit some 400yd north of Church Road, also Roden Acre Pit about 300yd further north again, then two further shafts No1 and No 2 were opened closer to Church Rd.

The Midland Railway constructed a single track in 1868 from the mine workings passing through Iron Acton Village to join the main line at Yate, that enabled iron ore to be transported by train to South Wales for smelting, but this track was removed in 1892.

The economic prosperity of the mid 19th century encouraged businessmen into ill-judged speculative projects in anticipation of rich rewards, but the iron mines of this village were never profitable. George and Thomas Barker of Chillington Iron Works, Wolverhampton purchased mining rights in 1860 with manager Edmund Owen who was unsuccessful.

In 1867 they sold to John Crossley, who was a Liberal MP and leading carpet manufacturer in Halifax and he made Henry Brooks manager. The operations continued to make huge losses, so in 1871 Crossley leased the mines to the three Brogden Brothers with Thomas Trevithick as manager, but iron mining was abandoned after another 4 years.

Working conditions were hazardous due to flooding as thousands of gallons of water were pumped into the river every day and in 1873 foreman Silas Dando was drowned in a flooded shaft. Abrasive sand was wearing out leather washers within 8 hours and their frequent replacement severely hampered production.

The West Gloucestershire Waterworks Co. entered into discussions in 1884, set up their pumps over pits 1 and 2 and by 1886 drinking water that hitherto ran to waste, was entering the public supply. Steam driven water pumps extracting over ¼ million gallons daily were housed in a tall red brick building, while the brick chimney became a conspicuous landmark until it was dismantled in the mid 60s after operations had ceased due to silting-up and poor water quality.