Click to see Home page Site map. Processing of tin. Rock samples
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King Edward Mine is at the eastern part of the South Condurrow Mine which was abandoned about 1890. It was re-opened in 1897, and developed a fully operational/training mine, by the Camborne School of Mines.
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King Edward (as it was re-named in 1901) was completely re-equipped, both on surface and underground, with modern up-to-date machinery reflecting what was then considered the best Cornish practice. This was no toy mine, it was intended that the tin produced would cover most of the mining costs The mine regularly produced tin up until World War 1 when operations were suspended. By 1920 it was back in production. This was short-lived for in 1921 the adjacent deeper Grenville Mine. The two mines were interconnected and the consequent flooding of Grenville also flooded the King Edward workings. Underground operations, on a much reduced scale, were transferred to a dry shallow section the Great Condurrow Mine to the north. The surface area of the mine was retained and used for teaching mining, ore dressing. and surveying. The remainder of the lecturing continued to be carried out at the main campus in Camborne In 1974 the pilot plant and lecturing in mining, ore dressing, management, and surveying moved to the main School of Mines Building. The mill complex was no longer needed and it became a store..
LEFT... Mr Willie Uren demonstrating the vanning shovel. A small quantity of rock which have passed through the stamps and crushed to sand is placed on the shovel, water added and the shovel is rotated in a swirling action which move the lighter portion to the side to be removed from the shovel and eventually leaving the tin content on the shovel |
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This twin drum winder was built by Holman's of Camborne in 1907 for King Edward Mine and was used up to1927. In 1942 the winder was moved to Castle-an-Dinas a wolfram mine on Goss Moor After a absence of 60 years the winder is now back on its original foundation and under going refurbishment.
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As of July 2005 the Holman winder has been assembled and repainted. Running on compressed air will soon be a possibility, but running on steam is for some time in the future. The winder can be seen running on compressed air on some of our special open days during the year. |
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In 1987 a volunteer group was formed with the objective to conserve the site as an educational resource for the future and to operate it in a manner that benefits the local community. Using rescued machinery the mill has been restored to working condition much as it would have been in the early years of the last century
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LEFT Some of the volunteer group at K.E.M. |
RIGHT Checking the stamps. |
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Kingsley preparing new timbers for the dipper wheel. |
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Frank cleaning a bucket from the dipper wheel before painting. |
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The Sulzer Engine is a 56 litre twin cylinder 2 stroke diesel and was manufactured in 1927 |
Ex Crofty Mine cage arrive and is positioned over the shaft at K.E.M......April 2007.
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Fraser &Chambers Frue Ore Concentrator
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Only the wood frame of the Frue Vanner existed but over the past 5 years parts have been remanufactured by the volunteer workers at K.E.M. along with help from local fabricators.
Financial help from local supporter was given to purchase the large belt. The vanner is now getting near completion.
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A Holman Single cylinder Steam engine arrived a K.E.M. in 2007, It is thought it was probably manufactured about 1850 and used at The Holman Foundry Camborne to drive line shafting in the foundry.
After a suitable area was decided on at K.E.M. the engine was reassembled and it is hoped that it will soon be seen running on compressed air.
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