Tin mining project awarded funding for buildings

A project aiming to restart tin mining in Cornwall has received a grant of more than £4m towards building workshops, stores and offices.

The South Crofty tin mining project has had £4,190,500 awarded through the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, delivered by Cornwall Council.

The buildings on the Bartles Foundry site at South Crofty received planning approval in January.

Tim Dwelly, Cornwall Council's cabinet member for economic regeneration and investment, said: "South Crofty is a big priority for us."

Dwelly said: "Not only are they supporting high-quality well-paid jobs in the area, they are also helping the security of the whole UK by strengthening the domestic supply of essential minerals."

The funding comes from the UK government's Shared Prosperity Fund and is part of a £6.8m project on the site at Pool by owner Cornish Metals.

The investment also covers the previously announced acquisition of 4.5 acres of land from Cornwall Council and follows a 2024 feasibility study that confirmed the site's suitability for development.

Tin is defined as a critical mineral by the UK government as it is used in almost all electrical devices and electrical infrastructure.

About two-thirds of the tin mined today comes from China, Myanmar and Indonesia.

The UK Critical Minerals Strategy includes other minerals found in abundance in Cornwall including lithium and tungsten.

The government said it aimed to secure a sustainable and resilient supply of these minerals to support the country's transition to a low-carbon economy and to enhance national security.

Don Turvey, chief executive and director of Cornish Metals, said: "This funding will enable the construction of the project that will support South Crofty as we move into the underground development phase, which will provide local employment opportunities during the construction and operational phase of the project."

South Crofty was Cornwall's last working tin mine before it closed in 1998 after four centuries of operation.

Cornish Metals said the reopened mine could create up to 320 permanent, high-skilled and well-paid jobs and an estimated 1,000 indirect jobs.

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