Wheal Jane

The site in 2005 © Copyright Shiela Russell and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

At Baldhu near St Day, was based on new, deep shafts sunk at the end of the 1960s, but was surrounded by old mines.

The ore deposits worked were a complex mix of metals and a state-of-the-art mill was built in order to separate them.

Neither Wheal Jane nor its neighbour, Mount Wellington, sunk 1969-1975, were very successful and they closed in 1978.

After further heavy investment, Wheal Jane reopened in 1980. The high price of zinc in the 1980s gave the mine a boost when an hitherto waste product could also be worked, but the collapse of the tin price in 1985 led to its closure in February 1991, and the pumps were switched off in the following January.

The nearby County Adit was driven in order to drain the mines around Wheal Jane and Mount Wellington. Begun in 1748 it eventually drained over 40 mines through some 38 miles of adit.



Further reading:

• Hunter, J. (1976) "Visit to Wheal Jane Tin Mine" British Mining No.3, pp.8-10