CORNISH METALS: first water pumped out of South Crofty

Cornish Metals Inc. is a step closer to dewatering the historic South Crofty mine, Cornwall, UK, after successfully commissioning two submersible pumps.
“Seeing the first water being pumped out of the mine during this commissioning phase since the mine’s closure 25 years ago is a truly historic moment.” commented Richard Williams, CEO, Cornish Metals.
With the pumps in place, Cornish Metals is closer to actualising its plan to dewater the South Crofty mine, which since its closure at the end of the 20th century, has flooded. Dewatering of the mine is an essential step towards resuming production.
The two pumps – installed in New Cook’s Kitchen shaft – and associated Variable Speed Drives are now undergoing a series of performance tests. These tests ensure that it can pump mine water at a sufficient flow rate of 25,000 cubic metres per day to the Mine Water Treatment Plant via a specially installed commissioning loop.
The company looks forward to the completion and commissioning of the Mine Water Treatment Plant later this summer. Only then can the dewatering commence, diverting fully treated mine water to the Red River.
Dewatering of the plant is expected to take 18 months, with production to hopefully start in 2025. The developments at South Crofty are promising for the European and North American tin markets, which currently lack primary tin production.