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REGENERATION GROUPS SEE THE FULL SCALE OF MODERN MINING. October 2008
The trip was organised by owners of South Crofty, Western United Mines, as part of discussions surrounding current and future development at the mine based in Pool.
The six strong group, led by Neil Hitchens, a senior mining engineer at South Crofty, spent the day at Lisheen both underground and touring the surface buildings.
Neil, whose mining experience has included working at both Lisheen and Geevor, explained that Lisheen is a perfect illustration of how South Crofty will run in the next few years.
The regeneration groups were interested in the modern equipment, mining methods, environmental controls and particularly back-filling with waste rock and mill tailings.
Lisheen is a fully operational example of the plans for South Crofty. It is a trackless mine with ore being trucked out of the mine entrance which opens next to the processing mill and mine offices. South Crofty's plans to relocate the mine surface infrastructure, including the processing mill, will align its modern operations with those at Lisheen. However the South Crofty proposals include an enclosed system whereby the ore is to be conveyed directly from mine to mill - a further environmental improvement.
The group also investigated water discharge methods at Lisheen, which pumps out 80,000 cubic metres of water a day compared to the peak rate of 5,000 cubic metres daily at South Crofty.
Neil said: "Lisheen is such a tidy mine, the portal and mine buildings are surrounded by rich pasture being grazed by cows. All the members of the visiting group seemed very impressed with the environmental considerations. It has made a huge difference to be able to show them the modern methods planned for Crofty and they were left with a very favourable impression."
Theo Leijser, area director for the South West RDA in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, was among the group. He said: "It was very interesting to see exactly how a modern mine operates and to dispel some of the myths that can be associated with the industry. Modern mining clearly has a place in the 21st century and it was important for the RDA and its partners to have a thorough understanding of what Western United Mines want to achieve at South Crofty."
Hosting the tour at Lisheen was mine captain Phil Jackson, a former South Crofty miner
He said: "I'm delighted South Crofty is so close to full tin extraction and really pleased to help show the group what they and those living around Crofty can expect from a modern mine."
