Redevelopment plans are ongoing, say owners Baseresult

South Crofty, near Camborne, closed as a commercial concern in 1998 and was bought by Baseresult Holdings in 2001.

Baseresult has maintained it is determined to get the mine working again as a going concern.

However, the body in charge of regeneration in the area has said that unless Baseresult can demonstrate that it can succeed, moves towards using a Compulsory Purchase Order on the site to redevelop it will follow.

Acting decisively

The process of starting the purchase orders could begin as early as January or February.

But Baseresult says it believes it can demonstrate that there is no need for any such orders.

The chief executive of the Camborne, Pool and Redruth Urban Regeneration Company, Dr Tim Williams, said he must ensure South Crofty is properly used.

He said: "If they want us to wait to see if they can afford hard rock tin mining, then I don't the think the Cornish as a whole will want to wait for that.

"I've said to Baseresult that we'll work with them. But if we don't like their vision and we don't think they've got the capacity, then we will compulsorily purchase the site. We will have to act decisively."

Kevin Williams of Baseresult Holdings responded: "Early in the new year he will see mining plans, our environmental plans and the site plans, which will mean he should be confident that we can regenerate the mine.

"It's not a case of cutting it fine, it's a case of moving forward at the same time."