Pedn Olva Mine

Cornwall Information & Accommodation Guide

Pedn Olva Mine (also known as Pednolver Mine, North Wheal Providence) is a former copper mine which operated in St Ives during the 1700s.

Pedn Olva is Cornish and means 'lookout headland'

Work began with an adit being driven from Pedn Olva Point westwards under St Ives.

In 1822-23, the driving of the adit was resumed, and a shaft and several winzes were sunk.
The adit intersected with a lode belonging to St Ives Consols

From 1859, the mine was worked by the North Wheal Providence Mining Company who also worked the old, eastern section of Wheal Trenwith. During this period an engine shaft was sunk, and a cross-cut was commenced from adit level to connect with the Wheal Trenwith lode, but by 1861 the company had run out of money and was unable to continue.

In 1862, a new limited company was formed to work the mine but this was started to wind up in 1863 and was liquidated by 1873.

Pedn Olva adit was explored again by St Ives Consolidated Mines, when they were working Wheal Trenwith but nothing was done with the Pedn Olva Mine.

In around 1911 the engine house on Pedn Olva Point was demolished.

Today, the Pedn Olva Hotel stands on the site of the mine's engine house. The staircase of the engine house was reused in the building of the hotel. You can still see part of a granite wall which protected the adit but the adit has been sealed with concrete.

There is some suggestion that smugglers used to use the adit to hide barrels of brandy.

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