Cornwall has a long history of mining, dating back around three thousand years. Historians believe Cornish tin mining began in around 2100 BC, as the county had plenty of mineral mines compared with the rest of Britain.
China clay, tin and copper mining have always been important in Cornwall. The region’s geology became so rich because the land was formed from a granite mass millions of years ago. Fissures on the earth’s surface allowed molten rock to surge through the granite.
As it cooled and solidified, the new rock was incredibly rich in minerals such as lead, tin, copper, zinc, silver and iron. Tin and copper were particularly useful to the early humans, as they were used to make weapons.
The lure of tin trading heralded the arrival of ships from the eastern Mediterranean in the sixth century, bringing luxury goods for the Cornish people, such as wine and olive oil.
By 1337, Cornish tin production had rocketed to 650 tons per year, and 800 tons by 1400. During the 1540s, production was booming, using open cast mining methods. Somerset inventor Thomas Epsley revolutionised the industry in 1689, when he devised a new method to blast the granite rock with gunpowder.
One blast moved the same amount of rock in an instant that it would take a group of miners with pickaxes six days to dislodge. The demand for tin continued to grow and even small mines were able to benefit from the huge market.
The story of tin mining in Cornwall is truly legendary. What’s one historical mining site or mineral that you find most fascinating? Share your insights!
Text rights:(Foster, 2022)
Text source:Foster, J. (2022, June 27). Cornwall: A History in Mining. Globe Vale Holiday Park. https://www.globevale.co.uk/blog/cornwall-a-history-in-mining/
