Mining in Cornwall Vol 7 : South Crofty Mine, The East Pool & Agar Mine

Continuing the Mining in Cornwall series, L.J. Bullen depicts three mines from the Central Mining District.

Most of the scenes date from around 1900 to the early twenty-first century.

This was the period that saw the decline of the industry, but renews hope was generated in the 1960s with the much improved world price for tin.

Some of the leading mining corporations of the world became involved. A great deal of exploratory work, including diamond drilling, took place and a number of mines were reopened.

One entirely new mine was commenced. The sudden and dramatic collapse of the tin price on the London Metal exchange in October 1985 hit the world's tin industry severely and was a particular blow to the deep underground mines of Cornwall.

Since that time the price has been depressed and never in its long history has the price for that metal remained at such a low level for so many years. South Crofty Mine finally succumbed in 1998 and was the last tin mine to operate in the Duchy.

In this, his seventh volume, the author provides a remarkable portrayal of an ancient industry which is now consigned to history.

However, the mineral resources of Cornwall are still considerable and perhaps at some time in the future a combination of different economic and political circumstances will bring about a renaissance.