A tin mine, started in 1967 after some exploration work on the presumed westward extension of the Tryphena lode (one of the very few lodes in the area that had been sufficiently productive in the past) had yielded encouraging results. In 1967-1968, Simms shaft was sunk to a depth of 260 m (5th level) and some initial underground development was carried out. In 1970, after one of the major shareholders had withdrawn support for the project, Camborne Mines Ltd was formed to operate the mine.
Some limited mining was carried out until 1973, when the mine was purchased by Great Western Ores Ltd, a subsidiary of South Crofty Ltd. Production was scaled up to 40,000 tons of ore per year and maintained until 1981. By this time, Tryphena Lode had been developed to a depth of 305 m (7th level), but mineralization at the lower levels was found to be generally poor. During the following years, the output declined, and in 1984, the mine had virtually run out of developed ore reserves and had to close soon after. In the same year, it was acquired by Carnon Consolidated Ltd, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto Zinc.
Apart from the Tryphena lode, the sett includes Harriett lode, north of Simms shaft, which was mined to a minor extent, and four other lodes (Frasers, Killivose, Q7 and Q7A lodes) on which only limited exploration work was done.
References
- Barstow, R.W., and Cooper, M. (1982): Churchite from Wheal Pendarves, Camborne, Cornwall. Mineralogical Magazine 46, 402-403.
- Mining Annual Review (1985): 485.
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