Wheal Uny Mine, is conspicuous for miles around Carn Brea and Redruth. The two Engine Houses of this mine stand on the hill overlooking the town.
Wheal Uny Mine 1 – Firstly, a view of the whole site taken from the top of Carn Brea.
The mine worked from 1800-1893, the recorded output from 1853-1893 was 2,860 tons of 5.5% Copper Ore and 7,660 tons of Black Tin. It is located on the Northern edge of the Great Flat Lode.
The shaft here is called Hind’s, when the mine closed it was 244 fathoms deep. The closure finally came about due to the dropping price of Tin along with high pumping costs after a very bad winter.
Wheal Uny Mine 2 – This is the classic arrangement for Cornish Engine Houses. The twin houses of the mine, the Pumping Engine House is at right angles to the Whim Engine House. These were built during 1869.
Wheal Uny Mine is amongst the most favourable mines in Cornwall. Jack Trounson was quoted as saying it was certainly one of the better prospects.
The workings here were relatively shallow with the potential of striking the Great Flat Lode at depth.
Also in 1890 before the mine closed the great Captain Josiah Thomas of Dolcoath Mine in a report believed Uny held potential fortune at the deeper levels.
Wheal Uny Mine 3 – The Whim Engine House front the front, it held a 26″ engine. The masonry for the flywheel is to the left.Wheal Uny Mine 4 – Another view of the Engine Houses as seen from the access track.Wheal Uny Mine 5 – This is the 70″ Pumping Engine House of Uny. In the background is the monument and Castle on Carn Brea.Wheal Uny Mine 6 – The Pumping Engine House on a summers day, great cloud formations.Wheal Uny Mine 7 – The Pumping Engine House from a different angle. In the foreground are part of the loadings for the Whim Engine.Wheal Uny Mine 8 – In the foreground is the stack of the Whim Engine house, looking towards the 70″ Pumping House.Cornish Mine Images 9 – A closer look at the Pumping Engine House, the capped shaft can be clearly seen. Both the Engine Houses here were renovated during the early 2000’s. The shafts were also capped.Cornish Mine Images 10 – The plug doorway in the Bob Wall of the Pumping Engine House.Cornish Mine Images 11 – There is a single stack remaining on the site. It is thought to be associated with ore processing, in the background is the Pumping Engine House of the mine.Cornish Mine Images 12 – Another image of the 26″ Whim Engine House.Cornish Mine Images 13 – This is looking towards Redruth with the sea in the background. Also the tower of St Uny’s Church can just be seen.Cornish Mine Images 14 – Finally the two Engine Houses, along with a dramatic sky.
