Levant Mine Engine Houses, St Just, Cornwall

These 2 granite buildings held the hoist engine (to haul men up and down the shaft into the mine) and the pump engine (to pump water out of the mine). The mine produced copper and was at the peak of production in 1900. This mine was the scene of Cornwall's worst mining disaster. In October 1919 31 miners were killed and many others injured as a result of a broken section in the hoist engine while it was carrying the men up the shaft. The mine closed in 1930. The oldest existing Cornish engine is preserved in the hoist engine house. It dates to around 1840. The buildings are now in the care of the National Trust.

Location

Cornwall St Just

Period

Victorian (1837 - 1901)

Tags

industry mining engine copper disaster Victorian (1837 - 1901)