Tresavean Mine

Cornwall Information & Accommodation Guide

Tresavean Mine was one of the largest copper mines in Cornwall producing 230,000 tons of copper and 4000 tons of tin.

It began working in the mid 1700s but closed by 1800. Tresavean was re-opened in the early 19th century. Its output of copper ore reached 12,303 tons in 1838, making it the third largest copper producer in Cornwall. Its most productive years were between 1820 and 1850.

It achieved a depth of 443 fathoms making it the second deepest mine in Cornwall.

The first steam engine was installed at the mine in 1758.

Its Man Engine was erected by Michael Loam in 1842, the earliest man engine in operation in Britain. Prior to its construction, miners would have to descend the 1728 feet to the workings by using a ladder. It’s shaft is still visible

It also celebrated another first, having the first electrically driven turbines to pump out water from the mine.

Today, only one of its thirteen engine houses remains. Other remains include arsenic flues.

The Stamps Engine House was built in 1882 and housed a 32" engine, powering 48 heads of stamps.

Shafts included: Harvey’s Shaft, Rogers’ Shaft, Williams’ Shaft, Boyes’ Shaft.

Harvey's Shaft Engine House had a 150 foot chimney and housed a 90” pumping engine. The building has been demolished. It had the deepest shaft on the mine which is now capped.

Tresavean went up for sale in 1858 and has since worked as Tresavean and Tretharrup, Tresavean Mining Company and in 1907 as Tresavean Mines.

The site finally closed in 1927.

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