Refs.:
- Rocks & Minerals (1942): 17: 129.
- Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 994.
- American Mineralogist (1951): 36: 484.
- Rocks and Minerals (1985): 60(1): 24.
- Lapis (1986): 11(2): 29-32.
- Embrey & Symes (1987) "Minerals of Cornwall and Devon": 50.
- http://www.dcminerals.co.uk/minloc/gorland.htm
History:
Wheal Gorland's first recorded working was in 1792, but the lodes were probably known long befor this date. In this working the lode was showing prospects of being productive, and it was decided to erect an engine in 1795. At this time the lode had been developed to a depth of 40 fathoms. It was decided to sink the shaft a further 20 fathoms. In this working the shaft was sunk to 100 fathoms, but even at this depth no regular ore shoots had been found. The ore was inconsistent sometimes very rich then nothing, and there was a loss from 1792-98. At times in the early working of the mine, the ore was so rich in supergene copper minerals a gaurd was put on the ore wagons. From 1800 prospects seemed to improve, with prodution reaching a high in 1827 of 2959 tons of copper ore. After this date a decline set in, and output droped to 498 tons by 1838. In 1852 the mine was taken over by St.Day United group of mines, but it seems little or no work was done under the new owners. The mine recived a brife reworking in 1906-09 when there was a surge in demand for tungsten and tin. Which was found mostly at the granite/country rock contact. The last attempt at ore production at Wheal Gorland was in 1976, when the main specimen producing dump was removed to exstract the tin ore. ( which is speculated to have only contained about 2lb of black tin per ton, a sad loss). Just befor this date the dump was being activelly worked by ameture collectors. Since then there was an failed attempt by collector/dealers to again access to the Muttral lode via Davies shaft. And when Wheal Jane was working it was possible to gain access all the way down to the Country Adit, but again not to the fabled Muttral lode. It is belived that any access gained in to this lode would be unrewarding. As the gound from Davies shaft towards the Muttral lode is like a not quite soft cheese. And the stopes are likely to have collaps.
production:-
1792-98 estimated 2500 tons of copper ore.
1800-04 5907 tons of copper ore
1815-51 40751 tons of copper ore
1906-09 164 tons of tungten ore
15 tons of tin ore
18 tons of arsenic.
|
|
|
UK OS Grid Reference: SW730427
Map Reference: 50°14'24"N , 5°11'2"W
Important Disclaimer: This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to
visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders
for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.
Switch between Map and Globe
|
