In the 19th century, a modest mine extracted ochre and umber. It operated by excavating open cuts on the southern valley side and through shafts situated to the west of the woodland area. Hamilton Jenkin observed the presence of four open shafts as late as 1958, but they have since vanished entirely. It’s likely that Fir Hill Mine corresponds to Wheal Aaron, which historical records indicate was operational on the Little Colan estate in 1847.