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Batallack Tin Mines Cornwall England
Mining at Botallack
The remains of the mine buildings at Botallack give a fascinating glimpse of Cornish mining over a century ago. During the 19th century there were over 100 engine houses in the St Just district, though mining has been documented in the area much further back than this.
Early mining records date from at least the 1500s. Those mine workings were far simpler than later ones and much closer to the surface because of the difficulties of drainage. Some archaeological evidence suggests that the area was mined in the mid-Roman period, around 200 AD, and there may even be some evidence suggesting Bronze Age workings.
The entire of Botallack mine closed in 1895 due to rapidly falling copper and tin prices. Most other Cornish mines had already closed at this time.
Mining under the sea
As at Levant and Geevor, Botallack is a submarine mine, with its workings reaching half a mile out under the seabed. Many of these workings would have been produced with hammers, chisels and gunpowder, long before compressed and mechanical air drills were invented.
Botallack produced roughly 14,500 tonnes of tin, 20,000 tonnes of copper and 1,500 tonnes of refined arsenic. A staggering 1.5 million tonnes of waste would have been dumped into the sea and dyed it a distinctive red colour.
Batallack Tin Mines Cornwall England
Mining at Botallack
The remains of the mine buildings at Botallack give a fascinating glimpse of Cornish mining over a century ago. During the 19th century there were over 100 engine houses in the St Just district, though mining has been documented in the area much further back than this.
Early mining records date from at least the 1500s. Those mine workings were far simpler than later ones and much closer to the surface because of the difficulties of drainage. Some archaeological evidence suggests that the area was mined in the mid-Roman period, around 200 AD, and there may even be some evidence suggesting Bronze Age workings.
The entire of Botallack mine closed in 1895 due to rapidly falling copper and tin prices. Most other Cornish mines had already closed at this time.
Mining under the sea
As at Levant and Geevor, Botallack is a submarine mine, with its workings reaching half a mile out under the seabed. Many of these workings would have been produced with hammers, chisels and gunpowder, long before compressed and mechanical air drills were invented.
Botallack produced roughly 14,500 tonnes of tin, 20,000 tonnes of copper and 1,500 tonnes of refined arsenic. A staggering 1.5 million tonnes of waste would have been dumped into the sea and dyed it a distinctive red colour.