PRESS STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF BASERESULT HOLDINGS LTD

Tim Williams, Chief Executive of CPR Regeneration, said the following during an interview for the BBC’s Six O’Clock News programme on Tuesday 25 May:

‘We now need to persuade the outside world to come and invest and they will not do so in an environment that is not recovered.  To base the future on an extractive industry, and the kind of legacy it leaves behind, is no longer sustainable.’

Dr Williams’ remarks were made in response to a question about his views on the re-opening of South Crofty tin mine in Cornwall.  Contrary to what has been discussed at recent meetings between Baseresult Holdings Ltd, the company’s development partners and Mr John Dobson, CPR Regeneration’s Deputy Chief Executive, Mr Williams appears dismissive of Cornwall’s tin mining heritage and future.  Unlike his CPR colleagues who have expressed a willingness to give serious consideration to Baseresult’s plan of moving most of the working mine to a relatively small area at the back of the current site and to regenerating the rest of the acreage in line with CPR’s strategy, Dr Williams seems to be saying that a tin mining industry is just not compatible with investment and progress.

We find Dr Williams’ statement both offensive and astonishing.  Tin is as valuable a commodity as it ever was – indeed more valuable in the current economic climate – and South Crofty has 80 years worth of ore reserves in it.  We have invested a considerable amount of money and effort since purchasing the mine in June 2001 – when tin prices were far lower than they are today – and we remain entirely confident that our modern methods of working and processing will result in a fully operational tin mine, employing up to 200 people, in two years’ time  

Nor should anyone fear the environmental consequences of resurrecting an industry that has been Cornwall’s life blood for centuries.  Dr Williams and his team are fully aware of all our plans which are focused on the need to preserve – and indeed significantly enhance - the environment.  The water being pumped out will be treated before reaching the Red River, the mine’s waste will be kept underground and, by putting the processing equipment below the surface, dust and noise will be kept to an absolute minimum.

Not satisfied with doing that, however, we have also developed imaginative plans with local architects to redevelop the surface site to make it an attractive, valuable community asset.  Those plans are only in outline because we recognise the need to work with those tasked with the job of regeneration and, as locals, we too want the very best for our towns.

Dr Williams has the responsibility of bringing about real, sustainable, improvement in the Camborne Pool Redruth area.  His resources of public money are nonetheless limited.  We at Baseresult are entirely supportive of his campaign to attract outside investors but we would point out that we are investors ourselves.  We are privately, not publicly, financed.  Surely our efforts and our huge commitment should not be dismissed in such a cavalier manner, witnessed by millions, on national TV?

We are disappointed by Dr William’s comments.  Not just because he is clearly not listening to us but because, in two sentences, he is writing off an industry that has a noble past and, much more importantly, a bright economic future.