Herb Riddle's photos with the keyword: Mine

Also known as the Prince of Wales shaft. Seen here from the back. This old tin and and later, copper mine is situated near the village of Minions on the Bodmin Moor of Cornwall UK. It operated in the 19th century but closed in 1914. it was part of the Phoenix United Mine group.

A chance to compare the same scene taken almost 35 years apart. The left photo is my original slide conversion as seen on our dear old Panoramio, posted in 2008 but taken c 1986. The right hand side was taken last week, ie October 2021. Looking at the composition and viewpoint of these, it looks to me that my skills have waned over the years :) but the scene has not. See next photo for a more modern look and historic description. This is especially for our Ipernity friend Andy Rodker who knows this Cornish St Agnes Head coast and mine intimately. It is my wish that he will one day soon, walk these paths again after his recent illness. Essential full screen.

Near the end of our South Wales Govilon trip we paid a visit to the National Coal Museum at Blaenavon, the heart of which, was the pit itself. It was a working coal mine from 1880 to 1980 and opened to the public in 1983. It is one of the few mines that one can travel down the 89m (293ft) shaft to the tunnels below and experience what it may have been like for those, men, women, boys and horses. Unfortunately, for safety reasons neither camera’s not phones were allowed down there. Manned now by very enthusiastic x-miners, we were serenaded down by splendid Welsh choral harmonies. On returning to the surface, heavy rain had set in. My photograph shows a view of the pit itself as it has always been but the surrounding background buildings are far removed from what they were a century ago. The Pip shows the shaft winding house, now run by electricity but in the old days, steam would have been king here. In 1923, 1399 men were employed here. More info: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Pit_National_Coal_Museum Enjoy full screen.

We will miss you here in Ipernity Andy, and the Cornish coastline has also lost a dear friend. RIP ******************************************************************************************************** The earth below Cornwall is full of natural metals, especially near the coast. Here we see my favourite old Tin Mine, revisited after 35 years. The paths you see here are part of the ‘South West Coast Path’ and are a delight to follow through natural and man-made history. “Earliest records indicate a mine at the site since 1692.The present mine opened in 1802 and was closed in 1889 when the price of tin fell. It came into full production in 1815. Flooding and bringing ore to the surface were the main problems of the mine until steam-driven equipment was available, as the mine's underground operations extended for some distance under the sea. The mine was sold in 1844 and thereafter allowed to flood. A new owner reopened the mine in 1872 but work was sporadic until its 1889 closure. For some years, the yield was 20lb of tin per ton of ore. In 1906, new ownership hoped to work the mine for both tin and copper. Wheal Coates had produced a small amount of copper ore, more than a century earlier.At the height of its production, 140 people were employed at the site to mine a seam of tin just below sea level but this and a subsequent period of operation from 1911-1913 were not very successful because tin production was sporadic. The mine was closed for good in 1914. Wheal Coates is now part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site.” (WiKi) See adjacent photo for alternative and historical views. Enjoy full screen.

St Agnes in Cornwall is the home to many old mines and here is a small collection of their engine houses. These mined mostly copper and/or tin often from the early Bronze age up to the beginning of the 20th century when these metals either ran low or were mined much cheaper elsewhere. This is ‘Poldark’ country and it seemed on our brief visit around here that there were mines around every corner. Other minerals were also mined including gold, zinc, silver, lithium and arsenic. Cornwall’s neighbour; Devon, also has many such mines. Top row from left is the top of Wheal Coates and one of the Polberro Mines. Bottom from left is Wheal Kitty and then Wheal Charlotte which sits just south of St Agnes Head. Only Wheal Kitty now survives of these, as a visitors centre with workshops and a café. The PiP shows a view of the bottom engine house of Wheal Coates. Enjoy full screen.

Taken from the slopes of St Agnes Beacon. Looking towards the headland on the left, you can just about see the lighthouse Island of Godrevy and beyond that Carbis Bay and St Ives. The buildings are the top ones of Wheal Coates Tin Mine. This was built in 1872 and drove 32 heads of stamps as well as winding from Towanroath shaft below. The engine stopped working in 1887, although it was modified during the 1910-1914 reworking. It was consolidated in 1986. Of course a great sky for the lover of such things too. The type of view I will never get closer to home. Essential full screen.