Originally established as the West Downs Consolidated Mining Company in 1847, although evidence suggests earlier trial pits in the area. The operation was reorganized as Sortridge and Bedford Mine starting from November 1854. Infrastructure such as a stamping mill, dressing floor, account house, smithy, and calciner (or burning house) were reported to exist. However, the mine ceased operations in 1857. On the Ordnance Survey 25th inch map of 1884, a substantial spoil heap is depicted on the southwest slopes of the Down, along with a roofless building and adjacent chimney. The dressing floors and site of the burning house are situated to the south. Mining remnants are scattered along the southern slopes of West Down, including ruined buildings and a spoil heap.