JULIA GOLDSWORTHY VISITS CROFTY

Julia Goldsworthy, Liberal Democrat MP for Falmouth and Camborne, has had a meeting with board members of Western United Mines, owners of South Crofty tin mine in Cornwall.

The purpose of the meeting was to update Miss Goldsworthy on recent developments and future plans.  Kevin Williams, Managing Director of Mining Operations, explained that tin production was scheduled to start towards the end of 2009 or early 2010 and that the current phase of operations was focused on the important task of preparing the mine for tin extraction.  The company’s ultimate aim is to extract more than a million tonnes of ore per year – producing 5 – 10 thousand tonnes of tin metal.

‘We are very confident that we can achieve those production levels in the near future and that doing so will give South Crofty world class mining status,’ said Mr Williams.  ‘Thanks to modern mining methods, however, there will be virtually no environmental impact.  All waste will be returned to the mine to fill up the voids and there will be no pollution.’

Following the recent announcement of between £50 - £80 million in investment in South Crofty from TrafiguraBeheer, one of the world’s largest commodity traders, Alan Shoesmith, acting Chief Executive and Financial Director, went on to talk about the global mining boom and the very high tin prices.

‘The price of tin has more than doubled since Crofty closed and with the expanding markets in China and India, together with increasing world demand for lead free solders, it is very unlikely to drop,’ he said. ‘Even if it did, we know that, with our plans, the mine will still be able to operate at a profit.’

Mr Shoesmith went on to explain the company’s serious concerns about the current route across the site for the proposed East-West link road.  It would, he said, cripple the mine and also prove hugely expensive to build given the fact that it will cross mine voids that are only a few feet from the surface.

‘We are not against the road crossing the site but have always argued that it should be built to the north, as originally proposed.  This would not affect the mine and, because it avoids near surface workings, would be much the cheaper option.’

Mr Shoesmith also talked about the local urban regeneration company’s continued threat to compulsory purchase the surface area, explaining that such a move would be legally contested and would therefore inevitably result in delays to the tin production schedule.

‘Our priority is the mine and it is commercial common sense to ensure that any surface development sits comfortably with our operational requirements,’ he said. ‘South Crofty has the potential to provide a huge economic boost to West Cornwall and it would be very foolish indeed for any publicly-funded agency to risk making it unworkable.’

Julia Goldsworthy welcomed the opportunity to sit down and talk to Western United Mines about their plans and aspirations.

‘It has been very interesting to learn more about the progress that Western United Mines are making towards the reopening of the mine,’ she said.  ‘Their proposals are very ambitious and will establish the mine as a major player in the world.

‘The surface development of the site remains an important issue to be resolved. News that proposals will go forward next year to move much of the surface working to the decline entrance is very welcome and will be an important first step in cleaning up what is a very important gateway to Pool and Camborne.’

                                                                                    November 2007