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Mine aims to extract tin again by mid-2028

David Dixonin Pool
News imageCornish Metals A cavern below ground . Two people in High Viz jackets and headtorches survey the scene. Scattered around is big steel mine equipment aand several wheelbarrows. Steel mesh has been secured to the roof of the cavern. Cornish Metals
New equipment is being installed in the old pumping station 1,148ft (350m) below ground at South Crofty

The team behind plans to reopen a tin mine have said they are optimistic they will begin commercial extraction by mid-2028.

Engineers have pumped water out of the flooded South Crofty mine, in Pool, Cornwall, and have accessed areas 1,148ft (350m) below ground.

Despite being full of water since the mine closed in March 1998, managers at Cornish Metals said the tunnels were "intact" and in good condition.

There are currently 80 people working at the mine and that number is expected to rise to 300 on site when the mine enters production.

News imageA man with grey hair and a smart jacket smiles in the sunshine. Behind him is an old mine excavator and in the distance the scaffold minehead and wheel of South Crofty Mine. A Cornish flag flutters on the top
Cornish Metals CEO Don Turvey sayid tin production in Cornwall could support 1,000 jobs across the wider economy

The Canadian-owned Cornish Metals estimated it could extract the metal for about $14,500 USD (£10,800) per tonne, while the global price was currently at $35,000 (£26,000) per tonne.

CEO Don Turvey said: "The tin price went up when they banned lead in the EU - It's now used to solder most electronics and the use of tin has basically doubled.

"Around half of it is used for soldering, the rest is used to make tin cans, glass production and other chemicals," he added.

News imageCornish Metals A dark cavern below ground all around is heavy equipment, chains and scaffolding. Floodlights illuminate the scene. Cornish Metals
Work has started again in an old pumping station 350m below ground after it was cleared of flood water

Mr Turvey said: "We're about halfway down the shaft with the de-watering process, we've uncovered an old pumping station 350m down.

"It's a major milestone for us because that station has been there since the 1950s and it's intact despite being underwater for nearly 30 years.

"We now have access to a lot of the old tunnels and hopefully soon the lodes of tin."

On her visit to South Crofty in July, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: "Critical minerals and clean energy as well are going to be absolutely essential if we're going to become more resilient and more secure as a nation."

In the latest report to investors Cornish Metals stated: "South Crofty remains a flagship project within the UK government's Critical Minerals Strategy.

"The company benefits from direct investment and strong strategic support from the UK government, alongside backing from leading industry partners in the critical minerals space."

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