Cornish Metals Inc. has provided an update on the progress of dewatering its South Crofty Tin Project in Cornwall, United Kingdom. The dewatering process, which began in early November, is ahead of expectations, with up to 25,000m3 of water being pumped from the mine and treated at the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) each day. The treated water is then discharged into the Red River, improving the water quality downstream. Additionally, the water discharged from the mine powers a hydro-turbine that generates up to 20% of the power consumed by the WTP. The water level in the New Cooks Kitchen (NCK) shaft and underground workings is falling at a faster rate than expected, standing at approximately 155 meters below the surface on December 5th. The company maintains its guidance of completing the dewatering process within 18 months from the start.
South Crofty is a historical underground tin mine that operated from the sixteenth century until 1998. The project has planning permission for underground mining, valid until 2071, and an environmental permit to dewater the mine. It has the fourth-highest grade tin mineral resource globally and benefits from multiple shafts that can be used for future operations. Tin is considered a critical mineral, and responsible sourcing and security of supply are important factors in the energy transition and technology growth. South Crofty has strong support from the local community and regional and national governments, and the project could create 250-300 direct jobs.
Cornish Metals is a dual-listed company focused on advancing the South Crofty Tin Project in Cornwall. The former producing South Crofty tin mine is located beneath the towns of Pool and Camborne and closed in 1998 after over 400 years of continuous production. The company recently completed an updated mineral resource estimate for South Crofty, which can be accessed through the provided link.