Wendron Mining District - Calvadnack Mine

OS Explorer Map 103: Grid reference SW699348

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Calvadnack Mine otherwise known as Wheal Rock, was an old tin mine situated just to the west of Polhigey Mine and about three miles northeast of Wendron in Wendron parish. Its sett lies within the triangle formed by the hamlets of White Alice, Polhigey and Halabezack, just southwest of Stithians Reservoir. Calvadnack dates from at least 1816 with mine plans available from this date and worked Crangiac Lode, Calvadnack Engine Lode and Fire & Sword Lode. Along with Polhigey Moor Mine, Calvadnack formed Polhigey Mine. Shafts named on the sett include: Trevithick Shaft, Painter's Shaft, Engine Shaft and South Shaft.

Production figures for Calvadnack are hard to find, but it is known that between 1845 and 1875, 1,150 tons of black tin were raised. Its best year's production in 1862 when it raised 172.8 tons of black tin at a value of £10,866.80. Between 1859 and 1863 its Purser was Robert H. Pike and Manager Charles Thomas.

For more information on production dates and so on please see Roger Burt's excellent book Cornish Mines: Metalliferous and Associated Minerals, 1845-1913 (Mineral Statistics of the United Kingdom, 1845-1913) or what is widely regarded as the mining enthusiasts bible by H G Dines - The Metalliferous Mining Region of South-West England: Vols I & II (Economic Memoirs).

For those of you with possibly a little more time to explore, once you've done 'the tourist bit', why not explore Cornwall's industrial heritage through its Tin and Copper Mines or learn more from my Cornish Bookstore