GEEVOR HERITAGE CENTRE
- FROM MINE TO MUSEUM

Trewellard, Pendeen, St Just, Cornwall Tel: 01736 788662

Geevor Tin Mine lies perched on the rugged cliffs of Penwith, high above the Atlantic waves at the very western tip of Cornwall. The mine is the setting of the dramatic story of tin mining in the county. Most of us are familiar with the story of the mass migration of Cornish miners in the 19th century. Leaving Cornwall they played a central role in establishing many mines in foreign countries. But one Cornish mine of modern days owes much to miners who did the reverse. They left South Africa at the very end of the last century and returned to their homeland.

The Boer War broke out in 1899 forcing many miners to leave South Africa and return to the St. Just area. They carefully explored the tin bearing area adjacent to Levant and were encouraged enough by 1901 to form a company called Levant North (Wheal Geevor). There is evidence to suggest that the area had been worked for 2000 years and in fact deep level mining took place up until 1891. In 1904 West Australian Gold Field invested in the venture and a new company was formed. By 1911 Geevor Tin Mines was floated as a modern tin mine. For the next 80 years, and especially after the closure of Levant in 1930, Geevor was the lifeblood of the local community. But things were not always rosy. Mining is a risky and unpredictable business. The mining companies are exposed to such external factors as volatile metal prices which can wipe out profits overnight, and internal variables such as the capricious tin lodes which can disappear suddenly into barren rock. Geevor was not immune to these crises but its management and men had the tenacity and doggedness to weather the storms and keep in production for most of this century. However, the Tin Crisis of 1985, when the price fell from £10,000 to £3,400 per ton overnight, virtually wiped out the Cornish tin mining industry and Geevor with it. Wheal Jane and South Crofty were fortunate to benefit from Government rescue packages. Geevor was left to die. In August 1906 the mine closed with little prospect of reopening And then the tin price recovered at the end of 1987. There was a ray of hope for Geevor. it was able to commence mining again on a small scale. But any hopes of a return to full scale production were soon dashed. With the tin price languishing around £3,000 per ton, the mine was finally closed in February 1990. The pumps were switched off in May 1991. The story could have ended there with the mine flooding, the plant broken up for scrap, and the machinery left to rust. It could have, but it didn't

A number of individuals and organisations felt strongly that Geevor should not be allowed to suffer an undignified death. The Cornwall County Council stepped in and purchased the mine and Penwith District Council lent its support to the project. But it was the dedication of a group of ex- Geevor employees in particular which was the driving force behind saving the mine. They worked tirelessly throughout long hours to prepare Geevor for the next phase of its long life.

In August 1993 the mine was reopened as a Heritage Centre. Pendeen Community Heritage, a registered charity, now manages it for Cornwall County Council, set up by local people committed to conserving their heritage. The centre, open all year, has a museum where displays and artefacts show how Cornish miners lived and worked. The huge site, including many buildings, tells the story of the production of tin concentrate from the mining of the raw ore through the refining processes. A section of 18 th Century underground working was opened in 1995; visitors walk through the old tunnels while a guide vividly brings to life the old working techniques and conditions. Complete the Geevor experience by visiting the Gift shop and the Counthouse café.

Geevor offers huge potential for educational work at all levels. Packages can be tailored for visiting parties; please contact us for details. Remember Geevor is a huge site set on fantastic coastline you will want to explore, allow yourself plenty of time for the visit.