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THE TREVITHICK SOCIETY

 

FOR THE PRESERVATION AND STUDY OF CORNWALL'S INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE

 

Established 1935

Industrial gazetteer: mines

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Morvah Consols

 

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Morvah Consols MineThe compact remains of this mine lie on the coast to the north-east of the hamlet of Morvah, on the Pendeen - St Ives road (B3306).  The mine was probably opened for the first time in the 1820s, while in 1851 it was described as "a new mine, on the coast" in which a "very promising copper lode" had been discovered which could be worked by a waterwheel.  The mineMorvah Consols engine house was divided into 160 shares which were owned by some of the Levant shareholders.  The manager was a Captain Goldsworthy, who may have been Ralph Goldsworthy, managing agent at Levant in the early 1850s, Bosorne Mine in 1854 and Cape Cornwall Mine from 1864. 

 

Earlier workings are recorded by Allen Buckley, who described a Whele Chapell Morveth or Whele Myther, operating in 1508. 

 

Morvah Consols dressing floorsThe best recorded operations are those dating between 1871 and 1875, when the current remains were built when the sett was acquired by John Hammon from the White brothers of Bojewyan.  After the formation of a company with a nominal capital of £15,000, Hammon sold the sett on for £1000 and 1000 fully paid-up £3 shares.  TheUnderground at Morvah Consols managing agent was Thomas Bennetts, who had been agent at Spearne Consols in 1866.  An engine was bought from Balleswidden Mine in 1873, a 24-inch, single acting with a 9-foot stroke.  This was used for pumping and stamping and was to be used later for winding. 

 

Surface plan of Morvah ConsolsVery little work was actually carried out at the mine, which was closed in 1875 by order of the Stannaries Court, having produced only 5 tons 18 cwt of tin concentrate.  In January that year there had been no money to pay wages and the mine was put up for sale.  However on the day of the sale the mine'sElevations of Morvah Consols engine house workers appeared and intimidated the auctioneer into abandoning the sale.  The inquiry of the Stannary Court into the machinations of some of the directors was to last until 1877.  An attempt to reopen the mine was made in 1929 but this came to nothing.

 

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Plan of Morvah Consols engine house

 

Ordnance Survey map of Morvah Consols   Section through Morvah Consols   Reconstruction of Morvah Consols engine house

 

 

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Production:
1873: 6 tons black tin (Dines)
1874: 5.9 tons (Burt et al)

 

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