The first shaft of this mine was sunk in 1871, marking the beginning of a substantial undertaking that eventually yielded around two and a half million tonnes of iron ore by 1885. Throughout its operation, a total of nine pits were sunk, with the pumping machinery featuring a Cornish beam engine originally sourced from Wheal Mary Ann near Menheniot, Cornwall. However, the mine met its closure in 1901.

Mineralogically, this mine produced notable specimens, including groups of bright scalenohedral calcite in varying shades of red, yellow, and brown, often containing hematite inclusions. Additionally, pseudomorphs of hematite after fluorite, as well as scalenohedral calcite with rounded outlines to the original crystals, were also found.

1872 Barrow Iron Co. 1873-1874 Barrow Hematite Steel Co. Ltd 1875-1876 Barrow Hematite Steel Co. 1877-1901 Barrow Hematite Steel Co. Ltd