The Future of Cornish Mining

Over the last few weeks, I have been developing a new mineral display for the Hard Rock Museum at Geevor Tin Mine. The theme is the geology and rocks that underpin Cornwall’s mining industry — both its long history and what the future might hold.

Mining in Cornwall has taken place for over 4,500 years. During the Industrial Revolution, Cornish miners and engineers pioneered techniques and technologies that transformed the global mining industry, influencing how we extract Earth’s resources to this day.

The Cornish mining industry declined during the 20th century, largely due to overseas competition and a fall in the demand for tin. Following the catastrophic crash in tin prices in October 1985, the remaining tin mines in Cornwall became financially unsustainable and closed one by one.

Metal mining ceased in Cornwall with the closure of South Crofty Mine in 1998. However, extractive industries continue in the region, principally for industrial minerals such as china clay and aggregates.

The modern world requires vast amounts of Earth resources. As the saying goes, “If you cannot grow it, you have to mine it.” Global supply and demand are dictated by economics and geopolitics, which has led to the designation of “critical metals” — chemical elements with high demand but limited or unstable supply.

Tin is one of these critical metals. It is an essential component in consumer electronics (particularly tin-based solder), touch screens, and renewable energy technologies, making it vital for our modern world.

This demand has driven tin prices higher once more, making tin mining in Cornwall economically viable again. Given its modern uses and the instability of global supply, this trend is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future.

Other resources remain here in Cornwall too — including lithium, tungsten, and copper. The region also has strong potential for harnessing geothermal energy from deep beneath the Earth.

While mining remains necessary to secure the resources needed to sustain modern life, it is now abundantly clear that this must be done sustainably, protecting both the environment and the communities affected.

This places Cornwall back on the global stage. Research and development in the region are pioneering new mining methods, technologies, and processes to minimise environmental impact during operations and after closure. Mining companies now also have much stricter responsibilities to support the long-term socio-economic wellbeing of local communities. Cornwall is very much at the centre of mining for the future.

This is a topic I love talking about. It is such an exciting time for Cornish mining — not only from a historical and heritage perspective, but also looking ahead. That’s why I’ve put together this little exhibition at Geevor: to spark conversations with visitors about the past, present, and future of mining.

I usually do this once or twice a month. Keep an eye on my social media channels for dates — and of course, visiting Geevor Tin Mine Museum is a fantastic experience in itself!