A history of mining in Cornwall Volume 1

Continuing the 'Mining in Cornwall' series, L.J. Bullen depicts three mines from the Central Mining District. Most of the scenes date from around 1900 to the early twenty-first century. This was the period that saw the decline of the industry, but renews hope was generated in the 1960s with the much improved world price for tin. Some of the leading mining corporations of the world became involved. A great deal of exploratory work, including diamond drilling, took place and a number of mines were reopened. One entirely new mine was commenced. The sudden and dramatic collapse of the tin price on the London Metal exchange in October 1985 hit the world's tin industry severely and was a particular blow to the deep underground mines of Cornwall. Since that time the price has been depressed and never in its long history has the price for that metal remained at such a low level for so many years. South Crofty Mine finally succumbed in 1998 and was the last tin mine to operate in the Duchy. In this, his seventh volume, the author provides a remarkable portrayal of an ancient industry which is now consigned to history. However, the mineral resources of Cornwall are still considerable and perhaps at some time in the future a combination of different economic and political circumstances will bring about a renaissance.

Mining has been the most important industry in large parts of Cornwall for hundreds of years. This volume contains many photographs of mines both large and small with an emphasis on hitherto unpublished scenes of the latter. Within the pages of Mining in Cornwall - Volume Four: Hayle to Kerrier Carrick are images of the mines in the area and the men and women who worked them. Mining ore, whether of tin, copper, lead or silver, to name only a few, once sustained a large number of ancillart industries such as engineering and railways. At the present time no mining is taking place in the Duchcy. All that remains is taking place to remind us of this once thriving scene ate the abandoned engine houses, mine burrows, names on maps and photographs such as these. Mining in Cornwall: Volume Four continues the popular series and should be of interest to both professional and amatuer industrial archaeologists as well as local people. The author is drawing upon the largest collection of Cornish mining photographs in the world.

This book, the third in the Mining in Cornwall series, covers most of the Penwith and South Kerrier areas of Cornwall. The Penwith peninsula constitutes once of the major mining areas of Cornwall from which a prodigious quantity of tin has been won. It is the second largest producer of tin in the Duchy after the Camborne/Redruth/St Day district. The output of copper has also been significant and, among other minerals recorded, are arsenic (as a by-product of tin), china clay and a small tonnage of iron ore. As in previous volumes L.J. Bullen uses the stunning pictures from his collection to illustrate the history of the most important industry of Cornwall. Many of the photographs in this volume are published for the first time. They are supported by detailed and carefully researched captions describing the development of this industry throughout the last two centuries. This book will appeal to anyone with an interest in the region and in mining industry that so strongly characterised Cornwall's economy, history and society for many centuries.

The interface of metalliferous mining with the China Clay Industry is addressed in some detail in the first chapter. It will be noticed that the decline of metal mining in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries is marked by the movement of steam engines to the ever-expanding clay area centred on St Austell. The present-day clay production accounts for nearly 100% of freight traffic on the railways in the county. It also gives additional employment at ports such as Fowey and Par. In common with mining operations worldwide many jobs are created in the service and supplies industries of the area. The cameo of the Castle-an-Dinas Wolfram Mine has a special place as it contains a unique range of photographs of the premier Wolfram mine in the county. In East Cornwall there existed a number of exceptional mines and these have been dealt with as comprehensively as the limitation of space permit. There are many hitherto unpublished prints of some of the lesser mines which will be of much interest.

This latest book, the fifth in the Mining in Cornwall series between St Ives and Cubert. It includes a number of well-known mines such as Wheal Kitty, Polberro, East Wheal Rose and Treamble. The majority of photos are published for the first time. In particular the scenes which comprise the cameos of three of the mines are unique record. A great deal of mineral wealth was wrought from the lodes of this area. Porthtowan. St Agnes and Perranporth are part of one of the oldest mining districts in the Duchy. A number of references are made to engineering firms within Cornwall that manufactured machinery for the mines. These establishments owed their origin's to the indigenous mining industry and eventually exported all manner of equipment, and expertise, world-wide. The author has, once again, produced an eminently readable book which is thoroughly researched and enhanced by an informed commentary. Even those only moderately interested in the subject will be impressed by these images of a by-gone age.

A companion to Volume One: The Central District this book widens it's focus to study important workings accross the Duchy of Cornwall, from the oldest tine mines of the St Just area to the major workings at Tregurtha Downs, Great Wheal Vor and Wheal Kitty, to mention a few. In a county whose wealth came out of the ground, whether as tin, lead, copper or uranium, mining has shaped Cornwall's landscape and people, affecting every aspect of the county's life. Here, J.H. Trounson and L.J. Bullen show the development of mining from its earliest times and the impact of continually changing technology. From Cornwall's innovations in pumping and winding engines to the dramatic result of falling mineral prices in the twentieth century, the rise and fall of a proud industry is brought to life in a stunning selection of pictures, many of them published for the first time. Beautifully illustrated and meticulously researched, this book will appeal to anyone with an interest in this most attractive of counties and most ancient of industries.