Inspired by hydealfred's recent report on cornish tin mines I felt compelled to dig out this set from an official mine visit back in 2006. Apologies for the picture quality as the camera flash struggled in the underground conditions.
In recent times the mine has had a few different owners. It closed in 98 due to an all time low in tin value and at some point after that they kept the pumps running to try to keep the mine viable for future excavations. I believe the lower levels were left flooded whilst the upper levels were kept pumped out. This task alone cost an unbelievable amount of money.
The mine was made ready for public tours around 2004 and much was spent getting it ready including a new lift used to exit the mine and bring visitors back up to surface level.
This was a fantastic tour as our guide was actually a miner who worked here for years and had a vast knowledge on the subject. We were underground for a good couple of hours with frequent stops while the guide explained various bits about life down the mine..
I don't know if they are still doing the tours but if so it is well worth going.
Today the whole area around the mine has been flattened ready for some housing estates. Due to a massive increase in tin value and because there is a massive amount left still to be mined all hope is not lost to get mining underway at crofty again !
Here's the pics :-
We were driven by minivan to this entrance round the back of the site. I think its called the Tuckingmill decline.
Gates open and down we go.... A long downhill walk into a cold damp atmosphere..
A recent set of stairs taking you back up to a higher level
down.
down.. It was at this point our guide pointed out a few people we could just see in the distance down another tunnel. These people were placing explosive charges as at this time they were mining on a small scale.
A stope
A wooden "bridge"
It was a tight squeeze in places
We didn't venture up this staircase as there was a precarious boulder weighing several tonnes that was very unstable !
interesting coloured rock
A look down in to a lower passage
This area is known as the cathedral. Called this as if we could see it in its entirety it is a massive open cavern
This way....
and then out and back up to the surface
Thanks for looking
In recent times the mine has had a few different owners. It closed in 98 due to an all time low in tin value and at some point after that they kept the pumps running to try to keep the mine viable for future excavations. I believe the lower levels were left flooded whilst the upper levels were kept pumped out. This task alone cost an unbelievable amount of money.
The mine was made ready for public tours around 2004 and much was spent getting it ready including a new lift used to exit the mine and bring visitors back up to surface level.
This was a fantastic tour as our guide was actually a miner who worked here for years and had a vast knowledge on the subject. We were underground for a good couple of hours with frequent stops while the guide explained various bits about life down the mine..
I don't know if they are still doing the tours but if so it is well worth going.
Today the whole area around the mine has been flattened ready for some housing estates. Due to a massive increase in tin value and because there is a massive amount left still to be mined all hope is not lost to get mining underway at crofty again !
Here's the pics :-
We were driven by minivan to this entrance round the back of the site. I think its called the Tuckingmill decline.
Gates open and down we go.... A long downhill walk into a cold damp atmosphere..
A recent set of stairs taking you back up to a higher level
down.
down.. It was at this point our guide pointed out a few people we could just see in the distance down another tunnel. These people were placing explosive charges as at this time they were mining on a small scale.
A stope
A wooden "bridge"
It was a tight squeeze in places
We didn't venture up this staircase as there was a precarious boulder weighing several tonnes that was very unstable !
interesting coloured rock
A look down in to a lower passage
This area is known as the cathedral. Called this as if we could see it in its entirety it is a massive open cavern
This way....
and then out and back up to the surface
Thanks for looking
