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MINE RELOCATION PLANS SUBMITTED. 10 August 2010
Submission of the applications represents the culmination of a period of intensive joint planning -with WUM working closely with Cornwall Council and CPR Regeneration on the South Crofty/Dudnance Lane Framework Plan. Cornwall Council's Cabinet has now approved proposals, subject to planning and legal formalities, for the Council's acquisition of land from WUM for the future development of a section of the East West Link Road across the South Crofty site and for WUM to acquire land from the Council at Forth Kegyn for construction of the mine's new surface buildings.
Determination of the planning applications is expected during the autumn and preparatory work on the mine's relocation is likely to start early next year. This will include the construction of workshops, offices and the ore concentrator building. In addition to housing the processing plant, a second access tunnel is proposed to be mined with its portal located within the building. The processing plant will be designed to accept a variety of ore types which are being identified during the current underground exploration and development so that design and construction of the plant will be completely ready for mining production, which is scheduled to start in 2012.
'Submitting the plans is an exciting milestone and one which the South Crofty team have been working doggedly towards since purchasing the mine in 2001,' said Alan Shoesmith, WUM's Chief Executive. 'There have been lots of challenges to overcome along the way but these events, together with the excellent results from our exploration activities, and the real sense of common purpose that now exists, we are now much closer to securing the mining future for Cornwall that we always knew we could.'
Kevin Williams, WUM's Mine Manager and one of the two founding directors of Baseresult Holdings Limited, the company which bought the mine nine years ago, also expressed delight that the next phase of South Crofty's transformation into a profitable modern mine was poised to go ahead.
'South Crofty closed because it had not been able to modernise and its huge potential was just not being exploited,' he said. 'We've got more than 60 people working here now and the results we're getting on a daily basis are proof of the enormous wealth of ore that is in the mine. This is a momentous time for everyone involved.'
In addition to re-locating the mine, the proposals that are now being put forward pave the way for the regeneration of the South Crofty site and enable adjoining developments, as well as the proposed link road, to move forward.
'Re-grouping the mine's surface infrastructure around the Tuckingmill Decline means that we can progress our plans, in conjunction with adjoining land owners, to re-develop the area with a mixture of homes and new commercial outlets providing much-needed jobs,' said Charles Stericker, Director of Crofty Developments. 'South Crofty has been a blot on the landscape for too long. This will change it into a different kind of landmark – one which everyone can be proud of.'
Bill Radmore, Investment Director at CPR Regeneration, the urban regeneration company for Camborne, Pool and Redruth, said: "The submission of these applications is the culmination of a two year working partnership between the public sector and WUM to remove the existing blight of derelict buildings on the site, deliver a 21st century mining operation and to bring forward overall regeneration plans for the area that will, in conjunction with the proposed link road across the mine site, open up the land west of Dudnance Lane for future development for more high quality jobs, offices andhomes for local people."
Carolyn Rule, Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration said: "This development is crucially important for the future of the Camborne, Pool and Redruth area. In addition to the obvious economic benefits which will derive from the mining activity, this development paves the way for creation of a new link road - providing significant housing, regeneration and job creation opportunities for the area to the west of Dudnance Lane."
Details about the planning application will shortly be available at http://cornwall.gov.uk/online-applications using reference number PA10/04564.
