Sam
1 Aug 2025
As I get Cornwall Geologist up and running, one of my most exciting collaborations is working with Geevor Tin Mine Museum.
I am really excited to say that I am working with/for Geevor Tin Mine Museum! This collaboration will include working as a tour guide on site for a few days a week, whilst also working with their learning and outreach team to develop some geology and Earth science workshops at Geevor.
Geevor Tin Mine is perched on the side of the rugged cliffs of west Penwith, just on the outskirts of Pendeen. It was one of Cornwall’s last working mines. Today it is one of Cornwall’s most popular heritage attractions and learning centres.
It’s a great way for the public to discover and learn about our mining heritage, including the nuts and bolts of a tin mining operation, as well as a deep insight in to the culture and personalities of those who worked here.
Evidence for mining here dates from the 18th Century (Wheal Mexico and Wheal Carne), with 19th Century mining operating as East and North Levant mines. The name Geevor (loosely translated from Cornish as “mine of the goats”) was first used in 1901, and Geevor Tin Mines Ltd. operated the mine from 1911 until its closure. Output records: 55,000 tonnes of black tin (50,000 tonnes since 1911), and 100 tonnes of copper ore.
Following the 1985 tin price crash mining finally ceased at Geevor in 1990. It had a profound effect on the local community. Soon after the mine was purchased by Cornwall County Council, and along with the Pendeen Community Heritage developed the site into a mining heritage centre.
I’m so excited to work with the team at Geevor, but mostly to chat to all the visitors and inspire them about the amazing geology, mining, and Cornish history and culture on show. I have been coming here since I was in single figures on school trips, and attribute this place as one of the key factors that made me follow a career into geology and mining. I am so grateful for the opportunity, and honoured to now say I work there.
If you have never been it is well worth a visit; if you have been it’s always worth going again. I’ll hopefully see you down there!
