St Ives Mining District

The mines of the St Ives Mining District have suffered over the years, there are now so very few obvious remains left. But large scale mining here generally declined during the latter part of the nineteen century, due to the low Tin prices.

During 1890’s all the mines had closed. In 1905 there was a slight resurgence when the price of Tin again rose, St Ives Consols and Giew Mines were the last to work. Giew was the final mine to close during 1922.

The mines of the District were well known for huge underground ore bodies known as Carbonas. These were principally found in St Ives Consols and Rosewall Hill Mine, after being mined out they remained as huge empty caverns. Sadly they are now silent and filled with dark water.
St Ives Mining District
St Ives Mining District 1: The Pumping Engine House of Giew Mine from the boiler house side. The shaft here is Frank’s Shaft it is 225m deep.It is situated on the Western side of Trink Hill beside the B3311. The mine worked during the years from 1838-1922 producing 145 tons of Tin. The engine house was conserved in 1994.
For more images of follow this Link: Giew Mine Gallery
Rosewall and Ransom United Mine
St Ives Mining District 2: One of my favorite places in the district. This image was taken standing on top of Rosewall Hill looking towards the sea. The second chimney in the background belonged to St Ives Wheal Allen, but in 2014/2015 it sadly collapsed.
Rosewall and Ransom United Mine
St Ives Mining District 3: Both chimneys belong to Rosewall and Ransom United Mine, this worked from 1839-1876 producing 1,500 tons of Tin. The closer stack served the whim and the lower belonged to the pumping engine, the engine houses still survive but are covered in ivy and deep in the gorse.
Rosewall and Ransom United Mine
St Ives Mining District 4: A final image of the twin stacks, the town of St Ives is in the distance.
Rosewall and Ransom United Mine
St Ives Mining District 5: Looking up Rosewall Hill from the bottom. The two engine houses can still be seen in the undergrowth, the stacks are further up the hill. Today the engine houses are totally covered in vegetation.
Garden Mine
St Ives Mining District 6: Near the summit of Watchcroft are remains of the Bob wall of Garden Mine, the walled shaft can be seen in front of the engine house.
Garden Mine
St Ives Mining District 7: Also at 700ft above sea level it is the highest mine in Cornwall.
Garden Mine
St Ives Mining District 8: The engine house is very exposed to the weather and it has suffered over the years. the mine worked from 1838-1870 producing only a few tons of Tin.
Rosevale Mine
St Ives Mining District 9: Located in Zennor near St Ives, Rosevale Mine is owned by the “Rosevale Historical Mining Society” who are a group of underground enthusiasts and ex-miners. They are dedicated to the restoration of the underground workings using traditional mining methods.
For more images follow this Link: Rosevale Mine
St Ives Mining District
St Ives Mining District 10: The scant remains of Gurnard’s Head Mine. This was a small Copper Mine which started before 1821. The workings here are said to go out under the sea.
St Ives Mining District
St Ives Mining District 11: Sadly the engine house is in a poor state of repair. The mine worked from 1821-1847 it produced only 25 tons of Copper.
St Ives Mining District
Cornish Mine Images 12: These are the two surviving engine houses of Carn Galver Mine built during 1871. The mine closed in 1876 having produced only 150 tons of Tin.
For more images follow this link: Carn Galver Mine Gallery
St Ives Mining District
Cornish Mine Images 13: Known locally as Georgia Bal this is the all enclosed Engine House at Baker’s Pit a small China Clay working near to Nancledra.
St Ives Mining District
Cornish Mine Images 14: The interior of the Engine House that contained a 25″ Rotative Beam Engine. Built in 1874, the engine was brought from Treylon Consols near to St Ives.
St Ives Mining District
Cornish Mine Images 15: A set of long unused steps behind the Engine House. The China Clay Pt is at the rear of the house and it closed in 1942. It is now run by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust.
St Ives Mining District
Cornish Mine Images 16: The remaining chimney of the China Clay works close to the Engine House. It is very overgrown and difficult to photograph.
The Wheal Sisters Group of Mines was among the most productive of the St Ives Mining District. Formed in 1875 by the merger of: Wheal Kitty, Wheal Margaret, Wheal Mary and Trencrom Mine.
St Ives Mining District
Cornish Mine Images 17: This is the small Pumping Engine House on Mushell’s Shaft of Wheal Kitty. Situated on the south side of Trink Hill.
St Ives Mining District
Cornish Mine Images 18: The engine here was a 28″ that was put to work during 1864. This was part of the Wheal Sisters Group of Mines that was formed in 1875.
St Ives Mining District
Cornish Mine Images 19:  Also part of the Wheal Sisters Group of Mines this is Trencrom Mine. This held a 60″ pumping engine that was erected during 1871 on Mitchell’s Shaft.
St Ives Mining District
Cornish Mine Images 20: When the mine had been included into Wheal Sisters Group during 1875 the engine was replaced by a 24″ Rotative Engine. This wound from Fox’s Shaft across the field.
St Ives Mining District
Cornish Mine Images 21: A final image of the Trencrom Mine showing the sadly decayed stack.
The group worked from 1875 then closing in 1900, a brief re-working was attempted during 1906 but was soon abandoned. So the mines of the group had a recorded output of 12,950 tons of Tin and 10,700 Tons of Copper, this is a total for the mines before and after merger.

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error: Copyright Simon Jones 2022