Tin Mining in Cornwall

Mining obviously plays a huge part in Cornish history, especially tin mining.

Cornwall's richness in tin (and other mineral ores such as iron, copper, lead and zinc) came about when the granite that makes up much of Cornwall was in the latter stages of cooling from a molten state. Fissures in the granite allowed hot molten rocks, from deep down in the earth, to bubble up into it. These rocks contained many minerals, which crystallised forming mineral lodes.

Because of the way these lodes were formed, mine shafts had to be vertical and often very deep. The mineshafts would often flood, so mine engines had to be built to pump the water out. It is these engine houses that you see dotted about Cornwall. A boiler house was also required so that the pumps could be powered and coal had to be imported as fuel.

The greatest period of mining activity occurred in the late 18th and the 19th Centuries. Copper mining was more important than tin at this time. After the mid-19th Century, prices of tin and copper were reduced by foreign competition and many miners and their families emigrated to other parts of the world.

The earliest tin workings in Cornwall were streamworks. Tin stones could be found easily by washing away lighter material. Later on, streaming for tin and shallow mining could not supply enough tin, but deep mining was hampered by the removal of water. In the 18th Century, steam power was first used to pump water out and mining increased towards its peak. At the peak of the mining, there were around 600 steam engines pumping water from the mines.

Coinage of the mined tin took place at the towns of Helston, Truro, Liskeard, Lostwithiel and later Penzance. Liskeard and Lostwithiel were later replaced by St. Austell, Hayle and Calstock. Each ingot of tin was weighed to determine how much duty was to be paid to the Duke of Cornwall and a corner (known as a 'coign') was taken off to be assayed for quality. The tin was then stamped with the Duchy seal and could then be sold.

Dolcoath Mine in Camborne is considered the greatest tin mine in the county, reaching a depth of 3,300 feet (the deepest in Cornwall). It closed in 1921 after over 100 years of continuous working. Camborne and Redruth were the major mining districts in Cornwall, but other important districts were Helston (around Wendron and Godolphin Hill), Penzance (St. Ives and St. Just), St. Agnes, Liskeard and Callington. The last tin mine in Cornwall, South Crofty, closed a few years ago. Remains of mines and engine houses can be seen all over these areas. Many can be seen near the coast as it was easier to pump the water out of the mines here - it didn't have to be pumped so far before it reached the surface.

Despite the nostalgia brought back by tales of mining, miners had an extremely tough and dangerous job. Access to the mines themselves were via long ladders and there wasn't much room once you were down there. There was always a danger of collapsing rock and the dangers posed by blasting. Men often began mining at about 12 years old, but their health was too poor to continue after about 40 years old. Inhaling dust and debris whilst down in the mines led to premature death in many cases. Of course, the miners main meal whilst they were working was the pasty. It was ideal for their circumstances as they could hold it by the crust and eat the rest without getting it dirty. The crust was then thrown away for the piskies! Traditionally, the pasties had a savoury filling in one end and a sweet filling in the other.

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