West Chiverton Mine is one of my must see sites. Even though the Engine house is tucked away it can be clearly seen from the A30. I understand recently it has been approved for a conversion into a house, lucky people it will make a good one.
Working from 1859-1886, was a rich mine which produced: 45,100 tons Lead, 22,000 tons Zinc and 1,221,200 Ounces of Silver. One Engine House remains along with extensive tailings, also the ruins of the Stamps.
West Chiverton Mine 1 – The impressive Engine House located on Batters Shaft.West Chiverton Mine 2 – This image shows the unusual arrangement of the chimney which is central in the front wall. The shaft here is 90 fathoms deep.West Chiverton Mine 1 – Early on a summers morning Batters Engine House is illuminated by the sun.West Chiverton Mine 1 – The Engine House is three storey and contained an 80″ engine built by Harvey’s of Hayle.West Chiverton Mine 1 – A closer view of the Engine House, the shaft in front is capped. The remains of building are scattered around the site.West Chiverton Mine 1 – A side view of Batters Engine House. The main main cylinder door on the side wall due to the chimney in the centre of the back wall.West Chiverton Mine 1 – A closer image of the main cylinder door, the Engine House is well built and in wonderful condition.West Chiverton Mine 1 – The fine chimney of Batters Engine House.Cornish Mine Images 1 – The stonework is in very good condition, the house must have been a great sight when working.Cornish Mine Images 1 -One of the upper floor windows.
So at the other end of the site there is a very interesting area. Like something out of a Dr Who set the whole landscape is barren and bare. This is the site of the Stamps Engine where the ore was crushed before processing.
Cornish Mine Images 12 – These are the remains of the Stamps Engine and associated Boiler House.Cornish Mine Images 13 – This is the Stamps Engine Boiler House, the Stamps House was sadly dynamited in 1952.Cornish Mine Images 14 – The well preserved side wall of the Boiler House.Cornish Mine Images 15 – The remains of the stamps loadings, the whole surrounding area is a desert of mine tailings.Cornish Mine Images 16 – This was taken standing on the standing on the Stamps Foundations.Cornish Mine Images 17 -The loadings have suffered, some retaining bolts for the machinery still remain.Cornish Mine Images 18 – At the end of the site there is an amazing sight, the remains of an Adit, this would have been covered when the mine was working allowing access into the Adit level. Water still flows out of the small hill it leads to.Cornish Mine Images 19 – It’s difficult to believe miners once walked along this passage.Cornish Mine Images 20 – To the right of the image is a huge pile of tailings (processing waste).Cornish Mine Images 21 – The final image on shows the small stream which still flows from the hillside.
