GENERAL BACKGROUND

Cornwall has a strong heritage of mining history, and the areas around Camborne, Pool and Redruth are synonymous with the industry.  There are records of mining activity in and around South Crofty dating back to the 13^th Century.  Albeit there have been numerous periods of high activity, it was only towards the end of the 19^th Century that the industry peaked.

Historically South Crofty is larger than the site boundary.  Taylor’s Shaft, Roskear and other shafts in the area are away from the denoted site boundary.  The ownership of mineral rights underground covers in the region of 500 hectares, and roughly stretches from Camborne through to Redruth.

The South Crofty mine site in question here has seen mining activity since the 1600’s. This is the only mine site in the County that can boast 400 years of continuous mining up to the present day.  South Crofty has a varied mix of buildings reflecting its continuity of use.  Traditional stone built buildings housing modern equipment are juxtaposed with 1970’s and later buildings constructed to improve the economic viability of mining in Cornwall.

The most well known shaft on the site, Cooks Kitchen, was believed to have been opened circa 1740. The only remains of this mine are the two decaying engine houses on the southern part of the site.  The engine house to the east is under the ownership of Kerrier District Council while the other remains within our site boundary.  New Cooks Kitchen Shaft started to be sunk in 1907.  This was the main shaft until the closure of mining operations in 1998. New Cooks Kitchen Shaft sits below the iconic Headframe that can be viewed from all around Pool. Its current configuration was constructed in 1988 and allowed for man-riding and ore-winding to be carried out at the same time due to it having separate winding gears. The winding gear equipment is still in place in their original enclosures.

Although this site has been a centre for mining activity over the years there are few structures left intact that reflect its long history. However, there are four listed buildings on the site and two directly bounding it that reflect its more traditional past.  There are also further structures that have great importance due to their associations of use with the mine rather than for any whimsical architectural reasons.

The site and its history have significant importance to Camborne, Pool and Redruth due to the heritage and cultural contributions that go hand in hand with its existence as a centre of mining in Cornwall. Unfortunately Camborne, Pool and Redruth have felt the full force of the dissolution of its main industry since its hayday of the late 19^th Century and are now going through the much needed process of regeneration.

ELECTRICAL SUB-STATION

This building is the existing main sub-station serving the site. It was probably constructed around 1906 when New Cooks Kitchen was being sunk.

 The main walls of the building are constructed from Killas stone with dressed granite quoins. Windows are timber and the roof is flat and constructed from concrete.  The sub-station is Grade II listed.

BLACKSMITH’S SHOP

The date of this building is unknown but is believed to be early twentieth century.

The walls are concrete block and the roof is a replacement and is constructed from asbestos cement.  Windows and doors are timber.  It was either built as part of Bartles foundry or for south Crofty. The blacksmith’s shop is Grade II listed.

GENERATOR HOUSE

This building was constructed during the sinking of New Cooks Kitchen Shaft. It originally contained the air-compressors and hence was the compressor house until it was replaced and its function altered.

The walls are Killas rubble with dressed granite Quoins. Windows are timber and have arched brick lintels over. The generator house is Grade II listed.

CHAPPLES SHAFT AND COOKS KITCHEN MINE

The two incomplete engine houses here and the partially buried remains of the horizontal engine house are the only structures of Cooks Kitchen Mine that have survived. The western engine house is under the ownership of Baseresult. The other engine house is on Kerrier District Council’s land.  It is presumed that the engine houses are Grade II listed.

NEW COOKS KITCHEN HEADFRAME

The iconic nature of the headframe is a true landmark and undeniably a positive advertisement for the industrial heritage of mining in Pool.  Its importance to the site is through its deliverance of identity.  Along with its associated buildings housing its winding gear and the adjacent lander hut, this complex of structures are worthy of retention to signify the continuing activity of South Crofty as a working mine.

FINE ORE BINS

These large round storage silos were constructed late in the 1960’s as a major part of the mill expansion and are the only examples of their type in this county. Their presence from on and off the site is permanently evident.  They are constructed from reinforced concrete with steel portal penthouses. All of the ore bins still have some material remaining in them.

THE PROCESSING PLANT

The present processing plant underwent major reconstruction during the late 1960’s to the early 1970’s.  Further extensions were undertaken in the 1980’s.  In 1989 all of the processing was relocated to Wheal Jane and since this date all of the existing structures have been left un-maintained.

The main part of the building is constructed with steel portal frames and asbestos cement cladding.  Its condition is very poor and much of the existing cladding has been lost.  The interior is very dangerous to enter.

The processing plant and silos are visible from most points around the site. The processing plant is clearly evident from the residential streets of Tuckingmill.