Mines of the Penwith Granite - Morvah Consols

Grid reference SW407359

The remains of Morvah Consols lie on Trevowhan Cliff just to the north of the village of Morvah in the far west of Cornwall. Not as well known as its near neighbours at Pendeen there is little information on the mine apart from the fact that it was a tin mine known to have been at work in the mid-nineteenth century. Early historians state that Morvah Consols was 'a small mine'. It worked the following lodes: Zawn Alley, Black Lode, Large Spar Lode and Venton Join Lode from Whim Shaft, Engine Shaft and Mason Fox Shaft.

It is recorded in Kelly's Trade Directory for 1873 as a 'tin and copper mine is held under lease for 21 years, granted by Richard Henry and Thomas WHITE, at a royalty of 1020th. There are six known Lodes, running north-east and south-west. Cross courses are numerous. The dip is 2 feet in the fathom; depth of engine shaft is 17 fathoms. The country is granite. The mine is worked and drained by a steam engine of 30- inch cylinder. The company is on the Limited liability system. This mine was opened by the present adventurers in 1872.

Purser & Manager Thomas BENNETT, Sancreed, the Chief Agent Robert NOYE'.

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