Andy Rodker's photos with the keyword: tin mine

It's granite scenery with evidence of very ancient fields and their walls, and more recent tin mining activity (although not so recent, really; the tin mine never really paid its way and closed down in the 1860s). Best on large and then large again for detail.

The further mine I'm pretty sure is Killifreth Mine, posted close up fairly recently. I still haven't researched the name of the closer one, although I suspect it is part of the Wheal Busy complex. The stonework here intrigues me. Does anyone know what stone it is? A LATER ADD ON: Please see below for a comprehensive explanation from Grobi358.

I don't know the name of this tin mine. I was sent on an unexpected detour by roadworks and came across quite a number of old mining structures that I knew were there but hadn't visited for about 25 years. I'll try and find out. I have a few more tin mine ruin shots to post in the fullness of time! Later add on. I think many of the mine buildings hereabouts fall under the name of Wheal Busy. But I could be wrong.,

The ruins of the pumping engine house. The height of tin mining in Cornwall was between approx 1750 and 1870. Cheaper tin from South east Asia killed off this industry more or less permanently.

Bosigran Head and Carn Galva tin mine.

Not the best of days weather-wise. Another oldie while I try to find the time to sort out my uploading difficulties. Perhaps best on black.

One of the many mine buildings on the cliff tops.

Tin mine building, wall and heather

St Aubyn tin mine. Trefula, near Redruth, Cornwall

Above Tubby's Head (St Agnes Head in the distance). The tin mines were some way away from the nearest villages and towns. As well as having to descend and ascend many 100s of feet and also walk a long way out under the sea bed, the miners had to get home as well - sometimes another couple of hours walk! After dark this wasn't always possible and a few shelters were constructed to allow the miners some respite from adverse weather conditions overnight. Countless fierce storms have reduced them to mere shells but they wouldn't have been luxurious to start with! It's true they didn't work 24 hour shifts even if day and night meant nothing down below but they did work long stints and at full production, the mines did produce tin round the clock! And we think we live in hard times!

Abandoned in the late 19th century, it was active only for a few decades, with varying degrees of success.

A famous sea-cliff climbing Mecca. I came here many times in the late 70s and early 80s to climb (the climbing routes are far more extensive than can be seen here, they extend round the corner and far down to sea level). Now I prefer just to walk and scramble! A sea mist ('fret' in Cornish) was just coming in. Best on full screen!

Outbuildings - no idea what their purpose was. But continually astonished by the fact that tin miners descended 100s of feet and then went 100s of feet out to sea and under the sea, to mine tin. I can't get my head around it.

South West Peninsula Coast Path. Tin mine ruins, July 2012