Cornish Metals Inc has pushed back production from 2027 to the first half of 2028 following slower dewatering rates at its South Crofty tin mine project near Redruth
PUMPS
Maintenance work on the submersible pumps and delays in servicing one of the pump motors slowed dewatering “in recent months”.
Dewatering returned to near full capacity of 25,000m3 per day in mid-July with the water level currently at approximately 340 metres below surface.
Mine dewatering and refurbishment of Nick Cook’s shaft to the lower pump station level, around 730m below surface, are been deferred from Q4 2025 to mid-2026.
Refurbishment of Nick Cook’s shaft is currently 330m below surface.
Both are expected to reach the mid-shaft pump station at 360m during August, after which refurbishment of the pump station, including installation of permanent pumps, will begin.
Other work at the site includes the start earlier this month of surface redevelopment with refurbishment of the mine dry building.
Demolition of the old Bartles foundry buildings has made way for construction of
new stores and workshop facilities.
Design and fabrication work has started for the New Cook’s Kitchen shaft winders ordered last month from Qualter Hall and detailed engineering has begun on critical path activities.
Work will soon begin on excavation and earthworks for the processing plant, front-end engineering design and further detailed engineering for the process plant.
Cornish Metals is also progressing a review of South Crofty, supported by Technical Management Group and Worley, expected to complete in September 2025
The company will also work with mining consultants Tomahee Consulting Services to help prioritise “health and safety, operational excellence, social responsibility and sound financial management”.
“Activities at South Crofty have ramped up meaningfully following the financing in Q1 2025 with works underway across the site on-surface and underground,” said chief executive director Don Turvey.
“With the work completed this year, newly appointed technical advisers and the strengthened senior management, operations and projects leadership, we are now better positioned to build and deliver a world class project at South Crofty.
“We are fully engaged and focused on advancing and derisking the project towards a restart of tin production.”