Geevor Tin Mine, Cornwall - August 2024
Geevor Tin Mine, situated between the villages of Pendeen and Trewellard in Cornwall, England, operated from 1911 until its closure in 1990. Today, it stands as a preserved heritage site, offering a fascinating insight into the region’s rich mining history. Exploring its remnants provides a powerful glimpse into the daily lives of miners and the industrial processes that once drove the tin industry.
Exploration Details
A warning sign for ionising radiation was observed during the exploration. Couldnt find conclusive reason for this sign, i also saw a little radiation sign on a shaking table that seperated ores. It may be that they used a density gauging instrument that involved a gamma source like Co-60 to determine density of ore passing below based on how much radiation passed through. There instuments where apparently quite common in mining.
‘The Dry’ – Locker Room and Personal Belongings
The locker room, known as ‘The Dry’, remains frozen in time, just as it was left when the mine closed. These lockers are still marked with “The End”, with the data the mine closed and some contain personal items and work attire, providing a poignant glimpse into the lives of the miners who once worked there.
Shower Facilities
Adjacent to the lockers, the communal showers stand as a reminder of the end-of-shift routines, where miners washed off the grime before heading home. The setup reflects both the camaraderie and the tough realities of underground mining life.
Headframe (Tower Crane)
The towering steel headframe, once crucial to operations, remains a dominant feature of the site. This structure transported miners and ore between the underground levels and the surface, playing a vital role in the daily function of the mine.
Explosive Storage Facility
A secured storage area for explosives was identified, a necessity for controlled blasting in mining operations. Such facilities were tightly regulated to ensure safety, as blasting was a critical part of ore extraction.
Processing Plant
The now-silent processing plant once buzzed with activity, where ore was crushed and refined to extract tin. The preserved machinery offers a firsthand look at the industrial processes, providing valuable insight into the engineering and innovation behind Cornwall’s mining industry.
Conclusion
Exploring Geevor Tin Mine offers a deep connection to Cornwall’s mining heritage. The preserved infrastructure, from the locker rooms and showers to the processing plant and headframe, tells the story of the miners’ challenges, resilience, and camaraderie. The site remains a testament to the past, allowing visitors to step back in time and experience the remnants of an industry that shaped the region
Geevor Tin Mine, situated between the villages of Pendeen and Trewellard in Cornwall, England, operated from 1911 until its closure in 1990. Today, it stands as a preserved heritage site, offering a fascinating insight into the region’s rich mining history. Exploring its remnants provides a powerful glimpse into the daily lives of miners and the industrial processes that once drove the tin industry.
Exploration Details
A warning sign for ionising radiation was observed during the exploration. Couldnt find conclusive reason for this sign, i also saw a little radiation sign on a shaking table that seperated ores. It may be that they used a density gauging instrument that involved a gamma source like Co-60 to determine density of ore passing below based on how much radiation passed through. There instuments where apparently quite common in mining.
‘The Dry’ – Locker Room and Personal Belongings
The locker room, known as ‘The Dry’, remains frozen in time, just as it was left when the mine closed. These lockers are still marked with “The End”, with the data the mine closed and some contain personal items and work attire, providing a poignant glimpse into the lives of the miners who once worked there.
Shower Facilities
Adjacent to the lockers, the communal showers stand as a reminder of the end-of-shift routines, where miners washed off the grime before heading home. The setup reflects both the camaraderie and the tough realities of underground mining life.
Headframe (Tower Crane)
The towering steel headframe, once crucial to operations, remains a dominant feature of the site. This structure transported miners and ore between the underground levels and the surface, playing a vital role in the daily function of the mine.
Explosive Storage Facility
A secured storage area for explosives was identified, a necessity for controlled blasting in mining operations. Such facilities were tightly regulated to ensure safety, as blasting was a critical part of ore extraction.
Processing Plant
The now-silent processing plant once buzzed with activity, where ore was crushed and refined to extract tin. The preserved machinery offers a firsthand look at the industrial processes, providing valuable insight into the engineering and innovation behind Cornwall’s mining industry.
Conclusion
Exploring Geevor Tin Mine offers a deep connection to Cornwall’s mining heritage. The preserved infrastructure, from the locker rooms and showers to the processing plant and headframe, tells the story of the miners’ challenges, resilience, and camaraderie. The site remains a testament to the past, allowing visitors to step back in time and experience the remnants of an industry that shaped the region
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