Grenville United Mines


Copper and Tin Mine

Worked from 1906 to 1921

Jan 1st, 2024 from RF by Buddle-Bot



Cornwall
Camborne
50.20229, -5.27176
SW 6662 3871
Private Land
147m
#8,316


The mines of Wheal Grenville, located southeast of Camborne on the western part of the Great Flat Lode, have a long history dating back to 1845. Initially managed by Captain Lyle and Captain Thomas, the mine struggled to meet expectations and changed ownership several times. Despite financial and natural challenges, the mine continued operations, switching focus from copper to tin production. In 1878, new management led by R.W. Goold and Captain Hodge revitalized the mine with improved infrastructure, leading to profitability by the 1880s. The mine expanded further with new shafts and machinery, reaching peak profitability in 1893-94. However, challenges such as machinery failures and fluctuating tin prices persisted. The First World War brought both opportunities and setbacks, with increased demand for metals but also a loss of workforce. Ultimately, Fortescue’s shaft closed in 1920, marking the end of Wheal Grenville’s operations. The mine’s significance lies in its association with the Great Flat Lode, a vast ore-bearing body that revolutionized mining in the Camborne-Redruth area. The Great Flat Lode Trail now preserves the mining heritage of the region, recognized as a World Heritage site since 2006.



Publications (3)

  • (1923); BGS - Mineral Resources of GB (c1920s) Vol XXVII - Copper Ores of Devon and Cornwall; 92 pages
  • Dines, Henry George (1956); BGS - Regional Memoirs - Metalliferous Mining Region of South West England Vol1, The; 567 pages
  • Palmer, Marilyn and Neaverson, Peter (1989); PDMHS (Peak District Mines Historical Society) 10-6 Win - Comparative Archaeology of Tin and Lead Dressing in Britain during the Nineteenth Century, The; 32 pages (316-347)





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