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Wheal Gorland, St Day United Mines (Poldice Mines), Gwennap area, Camborne - Redruth - St Day District, Cornwall, England, UK

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History:

Wheal Gorland's first recorded working was in 1792, but the lodes were probably known long before 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 the mine made a loss between 1792-98. At times in the early working of the mine, the ore was so rich in supergene copper minerals a guard was put on the ore wagons. From 1800 prospects seemed to improve, with production reaching a high in 1827 of 2,959 tons of copper ore.

After this date a decline set in, and output dropped 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 received a brief reworking between 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 extract the tin ore (which is speculated to have only contained about 2lb of black tin per ton, a sad loss considering the value of the dumps to collectors). Prior to this date the dump was being actively worked by amateur collectors for specimen material.

Since then there has been a failed attempt by collector/dealers to again access to the Muttrell lode via Davies shaft. And when Wheal Jane was working (and therefore lowering the local water table by mine pumping), it was possible to gain access all the way down to the Country Adit, but again not to the fabled Muttrell lode. It is believed now by local collectors that any access gained in to this lode would probably be unrewarding as the ground from Davies shaft towards the Muttrell lode is like a not-quite-soft cheese and the stopes are likely to have collapsed.

Ore production

PeriodProduction
1792-982,500 tons of copper ore (estimate).
1800-045,907 tons of copper ore
1815-5140,751 tons of copper ore
1906-09164 tons of tungsten ore, 15 tons of tin ore, 18 tons of arsenic.



References:
- 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





 UK OS Grid Reference: SW730429
Map Reference: 50°14'30"N , 5°11'2"W

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.


Mineral list contains entries from the region specified including sub-localities


Mineral List:
  		•  'Agardite'
    Reference: []
  		•  Arsenopyrite
    FeAsS - (Fe
     
    0.90
    		Co
     
    0.10
    		)AsS
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Asbolane
    (Ni,Co)
     
    2-x
    		Mn
    4+
     
    		(O,OH)
     
    4
    		 · nH
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Collins, J.H. (1892): "A Handbook to the Mineralogy of Cornwall and Devon", 2nd ed., D. Bradford Barton Ltd. (Truro, UK), pp. 108.]
  		•  Azurite
    Cu
     
    3
    		[OH|CO
     
    3
    		]
     
    2
    Reference: [Golley & Williams, 1995, 7 - "Cornish Mineral Reference Manual"]
  		•  Bayldonite
    Cu
     
    3
    		Pb[OH|AsO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Beudantite
    PbFe
     
    3
    		[(OH)
     
    6
    		|SO
     
    4
    		|AsO
     
    4
    		]
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Bornite
    Cu
     
    5
    		FeS
     
    4
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Brochantite
    Cu
     
    4
    		[(OH)
     
    6
    		|SO
     
    4
    		]
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Carminite
    PbFe
    3+
    2
    		[OH|AsO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Cassiterite
    SnO
     
    2
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Ceruleite
    Cu
     
    2
    		Al
     
    7
    		[(OH)
     
    13
    		|(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    4
    		] · 11.5H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Embrey & Symes, 1987, 93 - "Minerals of Cornwall and Devon"]
    Site Photo
    Wheal Gorland, St Day United Mines (Poldice Mines), Gwennap area, Camborne - Redruth - St Day District, Cornwall, England, UK
    © Steve Rust
  		•  Cerussite
    PbCO
     
    3
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Chalcocite
    Cu
     
    2
    		S
    Reference: [No reference listed]
    Site Photo
    Wheal Gorland, St Day United Mines (Poldice Mines), Gwennap area, Camborne - Redruth - St Day District, Cornwall, England, UK
    © Maurice de Graaf
  		•  Chalcophyllite
    Cu
     
    18
    		Al
     
    2
    		[(OH)
     
    9
    		|SO
     
    4
    		|AsO
     
    4
    		]
     
    3
    		 · 33H
     
    2
    		O
    Habit: Hexagonal plates
    Colour: Bluish-green
    Reference: [Golley & Williams, 1995, 16 - "Cornish Mineral Reference Manual"]
    Site Photo
    Wheal Gorland, St Day United Mines (Poldice Mines), Gwennap area, Camborne - Redruth - St Day District, Cornwall, England, UK
     
  		•  Chalcopyrite
    CuFeS
     
    2
    Reference: [Collins, J.H. (1892): "A Handbook to the Mineralogy of Cornwall and Devon", 2nd ed., D. Bradford Barton Ltd. (Truro, UK), pp. 108.]
  		•  Chenevixite (TL)
    Cu
     
    2
    		Fe
    3+
    2
    		[(OH)
     
    2
    		|AsO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    Type Locality: Wheal Gorland, St Day United Mines (Poldice Mines), Gwennap area, Camborne - Redruth - St Day District, Cornwall, England, UK
    Reference: [Fluorite: The Collector's Choice. Extra Lapis English No. 9]
    Site Photo
    Wheal Gorland, St Day United Mines (Poldice Mines), Gwennap area, Camborne - Redruth - St Day District, Cornwall, England, UK
    © Steve Rust
  		•  'Chlorite Group'
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Chrysocolla
    (Cu,Al)
     
    2
    		H
     
    2
    		Si
     
    2
    		O
     
    5
    		(OH)
     
    4
    		·nH
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Collins, J.H. (1892): "A Handbook to the Mineralogy of Cornwall and Devon", 2nd ed., D. Bradford Barton Ltd. (Truro, UK), pp. 108.]
  		•  Clinoclase (TL)
    Cu
     
    3
    		[(OH)
     
    3
    		|AsO
     
    4
    		]
    Type Locality: Wheal Gorland, St Day United Mines (Poldice Mines), Gwennap area, Camborne - Redruth - St Day District, Cornwall, England, UK
    Habit: Often as radiating spheres of crystals.
    Colour: Blue
    Reference: [Embrey & Symes, 1987 - "Minerals of Cornwall and Devon", 100-101]
    Site Photo
    Wheal Gorland, St Day United Mines (Poldice Mines), Gwennap area, Camborne - Redruth - St Day District, Cornwall, England, UK
    © Steve Rust
  		•  Connellite
    Cu
     
    19
    		[(OH)
     
    32
    		|SO
     
    4
    		|Cl
     
    4
    		] · 3H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Embrey & Symes, 1987, 102 - "Minerals of Cornwall and Devon"]
    Site Photo
    Wheal Gorland, St Day United Mines (Poldice Mines), Gwennap area, Camborne - Redruth - St Day District, Cornwall, England, UK
    © Peter Haas
  		•  Copper
    Cu
    Reference: [Golley & Williams, 1995, 19 - "Cornish Mineral Reference Manual"]
    Site Photo
    Wheal Gorland, St Day United Mines (Poldice Mines), Gwennap area, Camborne - Redruth - St Day District, Cornwall, England, UK
    © De Nul, Richard
  		•  Cornubite
    Cu
     
    5
    		[(OH)
     
    2
    		|AsO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    Reference: [Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols]
  		•  Cornwallite (TL)
    Cu
     
    5
    		[(OH)
     
    2
    		|AsO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    Type Locality: Wheal Gorland, St Day United Mines (Poldice Mines), Gwennap area, Camborne - Redruth - St Day District, Cornwall, England, UK
    Reference: [Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols]
    Site Photo
    Wheal Gorland, St Day United Mines (Poldice Mines), Gwennap area, Camborne - Redruth - St Day District, Cornwall, England, UK
    © Steve Rust
  		•  Cuprite
    Cu
     
    2
    		O
    Habit: Octahedral, cube-octahedral
    Colour: Red
    Reference: [Embrey & Symes, 1987, 50 - "Minerals of Cornwall and Devon" ]
    Site Photo
    Wheal Gorland, St Day United Mines (Poldice Mines), Gwennap area, Camborne - Redruth - St Day District, Cornwall, England, UK
     
  		•  Cuprite
    var: Chalcotrichite
    Cu
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Golley & Williams, 1995, 21 - "Cornish Mineral Reference Manual"]
  		•  Cuprotungstite
    Cu
     
    2
    		[(OH)
     
    2
    		|WO
     
    4
    		]
    Reference: [Golley & Williams, 1995, "Cornish Mineral Reference Manual", p21]
  		•  Cyanotrichite
    Cu
     
    4
    		Al
     
    2
    		[(OH)
     
    12
    		|SO
     
    4
    		] · 2H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Djurleite
    Cu
     
    31
    		S
     
    16
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Ferritungstite
    (W,Fe
    3+
     
    		)(O,OH)
     
    3
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Fluorite
    CaF
     
    2
    Reference: [Embrey & Symes, 1987, 50 - "Minerals of Cornwall and Devon"; Rocks & Min.: 17:129.]
    Site Photo
    Wheal Gorland, St Day United Mines (Poldice Mines), Gwennap area, Camborne - Redruth - St Day District, Cornwall, England, UK
    © J.Ralph 2004
  		•  Galena
    PbS
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Gibbsite
    Al(OH)
     
    3
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Gold
    Au
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Hisingerite
    Fe
    3+
    2
    		Si
     
    2
    		O
     
    5
    		(OH)
     
    4
    		·2H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Hübnerite
    MnWO
     
    4
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Kaolinite
    Al
     
    2
    		Si
     
    2
    		O
     
    5
    		(OH)
     
    4
    Reference: [Lapis 11(2), 29-32 (1986)]
  		•  Langite
    Cu
     
    4
    		[(OH)
     
    6
    		|SO
     
    4
    		] · 2H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Leucophosphite
    KFe
    3+
    2
    		[OH|(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		] · 2H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Libethenite
    Cu
     
    2
    		[OH|PO
     
    4
    		]
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Limonite
    FeO(OH)·nH
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Liroconite (TL)
    Cu
     
    2
    		Al[(OH)
     
    4
    		|AsO
     
    4
    		] · 4H
     
    2
    		O
    Type Locality: Wheal Gorland, St Day United Mines (Poldice Mines), Gwennap area, Camborne - Redruth - St Day District, Cornwall, England, UK
    Reference: [Am.Min.: 36:484 (1951); Rocks & Min.: 60(1):24; Collins, J.H. (1892): "A Handbook to the Mineralogy of Cornwall and Devon", 2nd ed., D. Bradford Barton Ltd. (Truro, UK), pp. 108.]
    Site Photo
    Wheal Gorland, St Day United Mines (Poldice Mines), Gwennap area, Camborne - Redruth - St Day District, Cornwall, England, UK
    © François Périnet
  		•  Malachite
    Cu
     
    2
    		[(OH)
     
    2
    		|CO
     
    3
    		]
    Reference: [Collins, J.H. (1892): "A Handbook to the Mineralogy of Cornwall and Devon", 2nd ed., D. Bradford Barton Ltd. (Truro, UK), pp. 108.]
    Site Photo
    Wheal Gorland, St Day United Mines (Poldice Mines), Gwennap area, Camborne - Redruth - St Day District, Cornwall, England, UK
    © Peter Haas
  		•  Metazeunerite
    Cu(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		[AsO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    		 · 8H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [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.]
  		•  Mimetite
    Pb
     
    5
    		[Cl|(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    Reference: [Collins, J.H. (1892): "A Handbook to the Mineralogy of Cornwall and Devon", 2nd ed., D. Bradford Barton Ltd. (Truro, UK), pp. 108.]
  		•  Mixite
    BiCu
     
    6
    		[(OH)
     
    6
    		|(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		] · 3H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: []
    Site Photo
    Wheal Gorland, St Day United Mines (Poldice Mines), Gwennap area, Camborne - Redruth - St Day District, Cornwall, England, UK
    © 2002 Thames Valley Minerals
  		•  Molybdenite
    MoS
     
    2
    Reference: [Collins, J.H. (1892): "A Handbook to the Mineralogy of Cornwall and Devon", 2nd ed., D. Bradford Barton Ltd. (Truro, UK), pp. 108.]
  		•  Olivenite
    Cu
     
    2
    		[OH|AsO
     
    4
    		]
    Reference: [Collins, J.H. (1892): "A Handbook to the Mineralogy of Cornwall and Devon", 2nd ed., D. Bradford Barton Ltd. (Truro, UK), pp. 108.]
    Site Photo
    Wheal Gorland, St Day United Mines (Poldice Mines), Gwennap area, Camborne - Redruth - St Day District, Cornwall, England, UK
    © Steve Rust
  		•  Olivenite
    var: Wood Copper
    Reference: [No reference listed]
    Site Photo
    Wheal Gorland, St Day United Mines (Poldice Mines), Gwennap area, Camborne - Redruth - St Day District, Cornwall, England, UK
    © J.Ralph 2004
  		•  Opal
    SiO
     
    2
    		·nH
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Collins, J.H. (1892): "A Handbook to the Mineralogy of Cornwall and Devon", 2nd ed., D. Bradford Barton Ltd. (Truro, UK), pp. 108.]
  		•  Parnauite
    Cu
     
    9
    		[(OH)
     
    10
    		|SO
     
    4
    		|(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		] · 7H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Golley & Williams, 1995, 47 - "Cornish Mineral Reference Manual"]
    Site Photo
    Wheal Gorland, St Day United Mines (Poldice Mines), Gwennap area, Camborne - Redruth - St Day District, Cornwall, England, UK
    © Steve Rust
  		•  Pharmacosiderite
    KFe
    3+
    4
    		[(OH)
     
    4
    		|(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		] · 6-7H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Embrey & Symes, 1987, 50 - "Minerals of Cornwall and Devon"]
    Site Photo
    Wheal Gorland, St Day United Mines (Poldice Mines), Gwennap area, Camborne - Redruth - St Day District, Cornwall, England, UK
    © 2003 Thames Valley Minerals
  		•  Phenakite
    Be
     
    2
    		[SiO
     
    4
    		]
    Reference: [Golley & Williams, 1995 - "Cornish Mineral Reference Manual"]
  		•  Plumbogummite
    PbAl
     
    3
    		[(OH)
     
    5
    		|(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		] · H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Golley & Williams, 1995, 48 - "Cornish Mineral Reference Manual"]
  		•  Pseudomalachite
    Cu
     
    5
    		[(OH)
     
    2
    		|PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Pyrite
    FeS
     
    2
    Reference: [Fluorite: The Collector's Choice. Extra Lapis English No. 9]
  		•  Quartz
    SiO
     
    2
    Reference: [Fluorite: The Collector's Choice. Extra Lapis English No. 9]
    Site Photo
    Wheal Gorland, St Day United Mines (Poldice Mines), Gwennap area, Camborne - Redruth - St Day District, Cornwall, England, UK
    © J.Ralph
  		•  Quartz
    var: Milky Quartz
    Reference: [Lapis 11(2), 29-32 (1986)]
  		•  Quartz
    var: Smoky Quartz
    SiO
     
    2
    Reference: [Lapis 11(2), 29-32 (1986)]
  		•  Scorodite
    Fe
    3+
     
    		AsO
     
    4
    		·2H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Collins, J.H. (1892): "A Handbook to the Mineralogy of Cornwall and Devon", 2nd ed., D. Bradford Barton Ltd. (Truro, UK), pp. 108.]
    Site Photo
    Wheal Gorland, St Day United Mines (Poldice Mines), Gwennap area, Camborne - Redruth - St Day District, Cornwall, England, UK
     
  		•  Spangolite
    Cu
     
    6
    		Al[(OH)
     
    12
    		|Cl|SO
     
    4
    		] · 3H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Embrey & Symes, 1987, 124 - "Minerals of Cornwall and Devon"]
  		•  Sphalerite
    (Zn,Fe
    2+
     
    		)S
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Strashimirite
    Cu
     
    8
    		[OH|AsO
     
    4
    		]
     
    4
    		 · 5H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Tennantite
    (Cu,Ag,Fe,Zn)
     
    12
    		As
     
    4
    		S
     
    13
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Tenorite
    CuO
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Torbernite
    Cu(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·12H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Golley & Williams, 1995, 62 - "Cornish Mineral Reference Manual"]
    Site Photo
    Wheal Muttrall (Wheal Muttrell), Wheal Gorland, St Day United Mines (Poldice Mines), Gwennap area, Camborne - Redruth - St Day District, Cornwall, England, UK
    © Maurice de Graaf
  		•  Uraninite
    var: Pitchblende
    UO
     
    2
    Reference: [Lapis 11(2), 29-32 (1986)]
  		•  Varlamoffite
    (Sn,Fe)(O,OH)
     
    2
    Reference: [No reference listed]
  		•  Vivianite
    Fe
    2+
    3
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·8H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [Collins, J.H. (1892): "A Handbook to the Mineralogy of Cornwall and Devon", 2nd ed., D. Bradford Barton Ltd. (Truro, UK), pp. 108.]
  		•  Wolframite
    (Fe
    2+
     
    		)WO
     
    4
     
     
    		to (Mn
    2+
     
    		)WO
     
    4
    Reference: [Embrey & Symes, 1987 - "Minerals of Cornwall and Devon", 50]
  		•  Zeunerite
    Cu(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·12H
     
    2
    		O
    Reference: [No reference listed]


    70 entries listed. 60 valid minerals. 4 type localities (valid minerals).

    Localities in this Region:
    UK
     
    • England
      • Cornwall
        • Camborne - Redruth - St Day District
          • Gwennap area
            • St Day United Mines (Poldice Mines)
              • Wheal Gorland

    The above list contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database!
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them.Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 30th Nov 2009 12:07:05