Wendron Mining District - Treworlis Mine

OS Explorer Map 103: Grid reference SW672291

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Treworlis mine sett lies about a mile northeast of Helston near the site of Trenethick Manor. It worked a solitary lode from New Engine Shaft, Old Engine Shaft and Tremenheere Shaft, producing medium grade copper ore as well as black tin. The mine commenced working in Spring 1859 after a lease was granted by the mineral lords - The Duchy of Cornwall. Production was 353 tons of tin between 1860 and 1874 as well as 704 tons of 5.25% copper ore between 1860 and 1864 and also in 1868.

Thomas Spargo writes in his 'The mines of Cornwall and Devon; Statistics and Observations' (1865) that Treworlis was '... in the parish of Wendron, about a mile east of Helston, was set to work in April, 1859. The dues, l-18th are paid to the Duke of Cornwall. There is only one lode worked on. The depth of the mine is 43 fathoms. 55 men, 4 females, and 20 boys, employed on the works (in 1861). The water is pumped by a 26-inch cylinder engine. Purser, Mr. H. Rogers, Helston; manager, Captain John Burgan, Helston; agent on the mine, Captain Bennet Dunstan. The company are now working in a spirited manner, with good prospects of success. There is some copper-ore in the lode, but tin predominates'.

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