A NEW LIFT FOR SOUTH CROFTY


South Crofty is going to get a lift that could see the number of its visitors increase ten fold.

At the moment the mine's underground tours are limited to only nine people at a time because of the restricted access provided by a 150 feet ladder way.  Now - thanks to a £200,000 investment by the mine's owners Baseresult Holdings Limited - an Alimak industrial lift has been ordered that will increase the daily visitor capacity from about 50 to more than 500.

The lift will be delivered in June and will travel up its own mast using a rack and pinion drive system.  Similar models are used on construction and other permanent sites where they travel up and down the outside of buildings.

'This order represents a significant investment in South Crofty's future as a fully operational tin mine that looks set to prove of enormous interest to visitors,' said Kevin Williams, Managing Director of Baseresult.  'The lift will be installed in the Old Engine Shaft and will initially terminate at ground level.  Once we have permission to build the heritage centre that we are planning as part of South Crofty's regeneration, however, there will also be an opportunity to extend it so that it travels up the side of the building to a roof-docking platform on the top floor.  The contrasts experienced on a journey that starts within the confines of a mineshaft and ends with magnificent views of the surrounding countryside and seascape should prove truly spectacular.'

The lift, which will carry up to 16 passengers at a time, is expected to be fully operational in early July.