South Crofty / Quick Facts

• Mining is known to have been carried out at South Crofty Mine since the 16th Century.

• South Crofty was the core of the former Central Mining District.

• South Crofty was Europe's last working tin mine & it was closed down in March 1998.

• Baseresult Holdings Limited (BHL) acquired the South Crofty Mine site and associated mine plant in June 2001.

• The mine became operational once more in April 2004 with the commencement of tunnelling works in preparation for the return of mineral extraction.

• Submission of the Review of Mineral Planning Permissions (ROMPS) in March 2003 by BHL, preserved the extant permissions for mining until 2042.

• In September 2006 Cornwall County Council's Planning Committee unanimously determined the ROMPS which confirmed the environmental conditions applicable to the mining consents.

• Western United Mines Limited (WUM) was launched in November 2007 and is a joint venture between BHL and Cassiterite LP.

• The mine holds resources of tin, copper and zinc which are proposed to be extracted in the future.

• To date (to November 2009) there are 55 people directly employed by WUM who all work at the South Crofty Mine site.

• The current phase of operations (to November 2009) sees ramp decline development being carried out in order to facilitate diamond drilling and the future trackless mine operation.

• Once the current diamond drill research and mine development stage is complete it is forecast that mine production will commence in 2011.

• The depth of a mine is measured in fathoms in the same way as the depth of the ocean. 1 fathom (fm) is the equivalent to 1.83m or 6ft.

• In total, Cornwall has produced more copper than tin.