Located in Zennor near St Ives, Rosevale Mine is privately owned by the “Rosevale Historical Mining Society”. This is a small group of underground enthusiasts and ex-miners. Tony Bennett is the Mine Manager. Work has been going for the last 40 years in order to restore and preserve this typical Cornish Mine.
They are dedicated to the restoration of the underground workings using traditional mining methods.
More information on the site can be found by clicking Here.
These images were taken with Tracy on a trip during August 2013.
The site was worked during the 18th Century as Wheal Chance. Operations were concluded finally during 1840. During the early years of the 20th Cenury the mine was re-opened as Zennor Mine. It worked until 1914, but closed with the advent of World War One.
It was a small scale operation but one that had had significant investment and showed good promise. Output for the mine was sadly low, before closure only 26 tons of ore had been produced.
The site remained abandoned until the 1970’s when the team took it on. The long term aim of this group is not to have a museum, but an authentic set of underground working. Traditional methods are used but incorporating modern Health and Safety Standards. Much of the work has been privately funded along with monies from visitor donations.
It is equipped as a working mine, but many relics and tools are also preserved. There is a constant push to open up old workings and furthur explore. On my last visit the deep adit was being cleared of debris. This is an amazing place and is unique in Cornwall.
The mine consists of two levels. No1 and No2 levels. No1 level is furthur up the hillside and has been mined to a length of 200m. No 2 level is driven from the base of the valley and extends for 300m. At the end the passage is almost 200 ft underground.
The two levels are 30m apart and are connected by a stope. There are fixed ladders installed here to access No1 level. Deep adit is 9m below No2 level. A winze was mined to access the level. This is currently where the work of the group is focused.
On the surface there are the remains of a processing mill which was completed only a short time before the mine closed.
It’s a great place to go visits maybe arranged with the owners.
The mine, which is held under a lease agreement with the local land and mineral owner, is on private property. Access to the mine and into the underground workings is private and restricted.