South Crofty Mine

Useful Information

Location:	South Crofty Mine, Dudnance Ln, Pool, Redruth TR15 3QT. Tuckingmill decline.
Open:	closed. [2024]
Fee:	closed. [2024]
Classification:	Tin Mine
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:	L=482,000 m.
Guided tours:	L=46 m.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Cornish Metals, South Crofty Mine, Dudnance Lane, Pool, Redruth, TR15 3QT, Tel: +44-1209-715777. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1991	bought by Baseresult Holdings Ltd.
1998	closed as a working mine.
OCT-2003	pumping out the mine started.
OCT-2003	opened to the public.
2027	planned reopening as a tin mine by Cornish Metals.

Geology

Description

South Crofty was Europe’s last tin mine when it was closed as a working mine in 1998. This was the end of three millennia of tin mining tradition in Cornwall.

The latest activities at South Crofty seem to revive the tin mining. It started in October 2003, when the new owner Baseresult Holdings Ltd started to pump out the mine by building a new adit. The new activity was a result of an increase in tin price and the development of new techniques for cheaper mining. The owners hoped to produce for around 2600 GBP per ton, which is below the lowest price during 2001. But from mid 2002 the tin price rose again and reached 9000 GBP per ton in spring 2004. This would make the mine very profitable. But they estimated it would take until 2007 that this mine would produce tin again. At the same time, October 2003, the mine was opened to tourists. The first 46 m of the mine were accessible, but only after appointment. This was the time when we listed the site as a show mine.

Unfortunately there were subsequently numerous changes in ownership, and on this way not only the reopening date vanished continually into the future, the show mine was also silently abolished. In other words, there is no show mine any more. The current owner [2024] is Cornish Metals, and they are quite positive that they will reopen the mine in 2027. The reopening seems to be three years in the future since 2001. Not a single word on tours on the whole website, though. As a result we decided to officially mark this mine as closed.