Opencast. Perran iron lode. A small open cut was excavated to extract iron-bearing carbonates, commonly known as ‘spathic ore.’ Analysis of a sample collected in 1941 revealed a relatively low iron content but high levels of calcium and magnesium, indicating that the material was iron-bearing dolomite. The pit was situated just east of the road leading to Perranporth, although it has since been completely backfilled.