Research geologists hoping to find tin and copper in an old mining area of west Cornwall say they now have permission for more than 60 per cent of the test holes they plan to drill.

As previously reported by the Packet, Truro-based mining company Cornish Tin has begun a long-term project to investigate a group of 26 former producing tin mines last operated in the 1800s, described in 1929 by the mining commentator Hamilton Jenkin as, "probably the richest tin mine which has ever been worked in the world”.

The team say they have been working for five years on getting to a position where they believe there is a good chance of finding tin and copper in the old mining area of Wheal Vor near Breage.

They are now looking to drill approximately 35 holes of an average depth of 200 metres in a triangular area marked by Carleen, Wheal Vor and Poldown.

This will take about six months, beginning in April or May this year, with two rigs in place and each hole taking approximately ten to 15 days to drill depending on its length and the ground conditions.

However, the company has received a mixed response to its plans, with some excited to see the potential return of an historic industry while others, who live in the surrounding area, have concerns over the effect on what is now predominantly residential land, saying "it isn’t like it was in the 18th century."

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Now mining consultant Jeff Harrison has spoken further about the plans in a statement sent to everyone who has made contact with the company since it announced its plans.

As part of it he has addressed people who say they were upset to only just be hearing about the plans, rather than as a whole community involved from the start.

Mr Harrison said Cornish Tin informed the Cornwall Council mineral planning officer and Breage Parish Council in October last year of its plans, but they were asked to keep this confidential whilst landowners were identified and contacted.

"It is a sensitive issue to inform a landowner that they do not own the mineral rights below their land and that exploration can happen, and they do not need to give their permission.

"We consider that we have behaved courteously and professionally throughout. We have certainly not pressurised people but simply explained to them the law on mineral rights. For the few that did not believe us we asked them to talk to their solicitors and they then quickly realised we had been always truthful and honest.

"We have never threatened anyone with legal action," he said.

Mr Harrison went on to say that with 60 per cent of the exploration drill holes now having signed Land Access Agreements the company will continue to work with the remaining landowners with a view to completing all the agreements by the end of February 2021.

Their plan had always been to hold a public display presentation and answer any questions before drilling begins in April/May this year, but Covid restrictions had made this challenging.

Instead Breage Parish Council is hosting a virtual meeting with them via Zoom this Tuesday (February 2), from 7pm to 7.45pm, at which anyone can ask questions and they will "hopefully put people’s minds at rest."

To attend contact Breage Parish Council on 01326 7781 or 07767165077 ,or email breageparishcouncil@btconnect.com

Metals most impacted by new technology Picture: MIT/Cornish Tin

Metals most impacted by new technology Picture: MIT/Cornish Tin

A General Permitted Development Order, including ecology and noise surveys, will have to be in place at least six weeks before any drilling can begin.

He said he did not have a single complaint in 12 months of drilling near Kelly Bray, Callington after people "saw how small and quiet the drilling rigs were," some of which were drilling holes just over 50 metres from properties.

He added that mud mats were used to minimise rutting in fields, the hole diameter was approximately 125mms at surface and each site was restored afterwards.

Mr Harrison stressed at the moment Cornish Tin was just "testing theories" and may find nothing, and even if results were good it would take many years – and a full planning application – to begin mining again.

"Also, very importantly, we do not intend to build a mine in the local community," he said, adding that any access wold be via an underground sloping decline at a gradient of one in ten. This meant for to reach metal at 300 metres below the surface the mine portal and infrastructure could be more than 3km away, sited and landscaped sympathetically within the environment and away from residential communities.

"The world is facing a great challenge to move to a zero-carbon economy and Cornwall is very keen to play its part.

"For this green economy of the future there are several critical metals required for electric car batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, electric circuits etc. These include tin, copper, lithium and tungsten which are all available in Cornwall.

"The UK is currently completely dependent on imported tin, mainly from China and Indonesia. We have the opportunity in Cornwall to start new modern mines using the latest green mining technologies aiming for zero carbon production and to supply the future needs of UK industry," he added.