A new dawn for Cornwall's oldest industry at the 400-year-old South Crofty tin mine near Camborne in Cornwall, UK.

The mine was the last vestige of a huge mining heritage in Cornwall.

Tin from the county has recently been detected at an archeological site in Israel, further confirming an international metal trade in very ancient times.

The last working tin mine in Cornwall, it was forced to close in 1998 when the metal's price dropped to £3,500 ($4,284) per tonne.

Today the price is £25,000 ($30,600) per tonne and the projected annual demand is expected to increase from 380 kilotons now to 500 kilotons in 2030 as the metal is used increasingly in electric cars and devices.

Twenty-five years of rain and ground water seeping into the workings means the equivalent of 3,000 Olympic swimming pools could be filled from the mine as it is drained.

The water is first treated at an onsite treatment plant then sent to the Red river which weaves close by.

The mine hopes to produce tin again by 2026.

The mine headgear and wheels, which were never dismantled but stood in silent testimony over the town, have now been completely renovated and restored to working order -- no longer just a poignant landmark but a beacon of confidence and hope.

The operating company Cornish metals Ltd is run by mining magnate Sir Mick Davis the former boss of Xstrata a mining group.

The estimated cost of setup is 120 million pounds and it is calculated that 80,000 tons of tin is still underground.

It is hoped the revived industry will bring increased prosperity to one of the poorest regions in the UK.

A new dawn for Cornwall's oldest industry at the 400 year old South Crofty tin mine near Camborne Cornwall UK. The mine was the last vestige of a huge mining heritage in Cornwall. Tin from the county has recently been detected at an archeological site in Israel, further confirming the international metal trade in pre-history. As the last working tin mine it was forced to close in 1998 when the metal price dropped to £3,500 per tonne. Today the price is £25,000 per tonne and the projected annual demand is expected to increase from 380K per year now to 500K in 2030 as the metal is used increasingly in electric cars and devices. 25 years of rain and ground water seeping into the workings means the equivalent of 3000 Olympic swimming pools could be filled from the mine as it is drained. The water is first treated at an onsite treatment plant then sent to the Red river which weaves close by. The mine hopes to produce tin, once more, by 2026. The mine headgear and wheels which were never dismantled but stood in silent testimony over the town have now been completely renovated and restored to working order and thus now more than a poignant landmark but a beacon of confidence and hope.
The operating company Cornish metals Ltd is run by mining magnate Sir Mick Davis the former boss of Xstrata a mining group. the estimated cost of set up is 120 million and it is calculated 80,000 tons of tin is still underground. It is hoped the revived industry will bring increased prosperity to one of the poorest regions in the UK.