Perranzabuloe Mining District - Wheal Vlow

OS Explorer Map 106: Grid reference SW767554

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Perran Consols formerly known as Wheal Vlow, lies about two and a half miles east of Perranporth within the Perranzabuloe Mining District. Its sett lies immediately south of the Perran Sands Holiday Centre and north of the Perranporth Golf Club, the former sett of Budnick Consols. It includes Wheal Albert Consols. Some mine working took place here prior to 1750, but Wheal Vlow as we know it dates from the early nineteenth century. The mine worked two major lodes, a northern section called Anthony's Lode worked from Adit Shaft, Diagonal Shaft, Footway Shaft and three other as yet unnamed shafts. Mudge's Lode was worked from Champion's Shaft, Mudge's Shaft, New Engine Shaft and four other unnamed shafts. Some records show a third lode called Goonhavern Lode with further shafts called Shepherd's Shaft, Whim Shaft and Eastern Shaft.

An account of Wheal Vlow, in the mid 1860's can be found in Thomas Spargo's book of 1865, entitled 'Statistics and Observations on the Mines of Cornwall and Devon'. He writes '... in the parish of Perranzabuloe, Cornwall, in 4,450 shares. Mr. Richard Cowling, Rose-in-vale, near Scorrier, is the Purser. Captain Jno. Tonkin, of Pool, is the Manager. The rock is clay-slate, impregnated with oxide of iron. There is a granite range underneath, but not yet reached. 43 men, 9 females, and 12 boys (total 64) employed. The dues (1-20) belong to the Marquis of Chandos; the soil belongs to the Dean and Chapter of Exeter. The adit is 35 fathoms deep. Depth under adit, 20 fathoms, and the works deepen daily. Present Company commenced in 1858, but the land had been worked over adit before the year 1750. Outlay about £6,500, of which £900 was expended in 1864 for engine, and 16 headed stamps. The engine is 24-inch.

Returns in 1864: Black tin 30 tons, 2 cwt. 3 qrs. 9lbs. sold for £1,512. The state and prospects of this mine are very good, and profits will soon be made'.

Production records state that between 1852 and 1854, the mine, as Wheal Albert, raised 37 tons of 75% lead ore and 70 ounces of silver. Between 1869 and 1895 the mine produced 220 tons of tin.

Now that 'World Heritage' status has been achieved Cornwall in Focus will monitor developments and learn how the mines of the Perranzabuloe Mining District fare within the overall Mining framework.

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