Reasons for Designation
Cornwall and West Devon, has been one of the major areas of non-ferrous metal mining in England. It is defined here as prospecting, extraction, ore processing and primary smelting/refining, and its more important and prolific products include copper, tin and arsenic, along with a range of other materials which occur in the same ore bodies. The 18th century saw technological advances turning to the mining operations. During this period, Cornish-mined copper dominated the market, although it was by then sent out of the region for smelting. The development of steam power for pumping, winding and ore processing in the earlier 19th century saw a rapid increase in scale and depth of mine shafts. As the shallower copper-bearing ores became exhausted, so the mid to late 19th century saw the flourish of tin mining operations, resulting in the characteristic West Cornish mining complex of engine houses and associated structures which is so clearly identifiable around the world. Ore processing increased in scale, resulting in extensive dressing floors and mills by late in the 19th century. Technological innovation is especially characteristic of both mining and processing towards the end of the century. Arsenic extraction also evolved rapidly during the 19th century, adding a further range of distinctive processing and refining components at some mines; the South West became the world's main producer in the late 19th century. From the 1860s, the South West mining industries began to decline due to competition with cheaper sources of copper and tin ore from overseas, leading to a major economic collapse and widespread mine closures in the 1880s, although limited ore-extraction and spoil reprocessing continued into the 20th century. The part of a mining complex 210m south of Nancegollan Farm survives well and includes an engine house and chimney so characteristic of this industry. Its importance is viewed on a local, national and global scale as it bears witness to an important industry in this part of Cornwall.
Details
The monument includes part of a mining complex, situated to the east of the settlement of Nancegollan. The complex survives as a beam engine house; parts of the boiler house; a capped mine shaft; and detached chimney stack. The engine house is rectangular in plan. It stands to full-height and is roofless. Built from granite, it has brick-lined arched windows and an arched doorway. It once housed a 40 inch pumping engine which was advertised for sale in 1873. The engine house was built in the mid 1860's.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
CO 1061
Legacy System:
RSM - OCN
End of official list entry
