South Crofty Mine

Pool, Carn Brea, Cornwall

South Crofty Mine is a famous mine amongst Cornish mineral collectors and one of the best known Cornish tin mines in general.

South Crofty is an ancient tin and copper mine with early evidence of mining dating back to as early as 1592, with full scale mining starting in the 17th century. After the tin price collapse, the mine began to decline in the 1980s before eventually being closed in 1998.

 

South Crofty tin nuggets and decorations can quite easily be purchased online, particularly second hand via eBay.

 

As the price of tin has now began to increase massively, the future viability of the site is being looked at again.

South Crofty mine is currently being drained ahead of a feasibility study, with the aim of reopening the mine to produce Cornish tin again by as early as 2026.

 

There are various names that may be attributed to mines and workings that are now part of the large ‘South Crofty project’, including but not limited to:

  • Penhellick Vean
  • South Wheal Crofty
  • South Crofty Mine Ltd
  • New Cook’s Kitchen
  • Tincroft & Carn Brea
  • North Roskear
  • South Roskear
  • Dolcoath Mine

The site is said to potentially encompass up to 30-40 old mines.

 

Further reading

 

 

 

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