Poldice Mine, numerous deep shafts cover the Poldice Valley. But for such an important mine very little remains to be seen.
The images on this page were taken on a fantastic summers day during the mid 1990’s. The site has received some stabilisation also grilles have been put up to protect the unwary.
Poldice Mine 1 – A well preserved arch in the wall of one of the buildings.
The mine was active from the 17th Century up to 1913. During that time over 150,000 tons of Copper, 1500 tons of Tin, 2,500 tons of Arsenic also 320 tons of Ochre.
Poldice Mine 2 – A date stone in one of the building walls, Laid By C.Pengilley Esq, March 25th 1887.
The present day remains date from during the 1920’s. Park-an-Chy Mine purchased the site to process their ore. An ariel ropeway was also built to transport the material from the mine.
Poldice Mine 3 – Some of the many buddles around the site, in the foreground a large Concave Buddle.
The existing plant was extended and modernised. Two Calciners were installed along with stamps, buddles, shaking tables also magnetic separators. Up to 120 tons of ore could be processed daily.
Poldice Mine 4 – This shows the extent of the remains.
Underground mining was again commenced at Poldice by Park-an-Chy in the hopes of finding new ore reserves. But in 1930 both the mines were closed and the mill was dismantled in 1932.
Poldice Mine 5 – Looking across machinery foundations towards the buildings. On the skyline are the Engine Houses of Wheal Unity Wood and Killifreth Mines.Poldice Mine 6 – A large Concave Buddle.Cornish Mine Images 7 – Before any restoration work some of the walls were in need of attention.Cornish Mine Images 8 – A view down the valley from a window in the derelict buildings.Cornish Mine Images 9 – A well preserved Convex Buddle.Cornish Mine Images 10 – These are the impressive foundations for the Californian Stamps that crushed the ore.Cornish Mine Images 11 – There are many concrete foundations for machinery scattered around the site.Cornish Mine Images 12 – Looking down the Poldice valley towards Twelveheads.Also the Stamps foundations are on the right of the image.Cornish Mine Images 13 – The last picture on the page is without doubt one of my favourites. The clouds were perfect for Black and White photography.
