Kelly Bray Mine

Overview

A copper mine a mile north of Callington, on the western flank of Kit Hill, joined with Holmbush and Redmoor in 1843 to form the Callington Mining Company. By 1856 its main shaft was 130 fathoms deep.

History

Until the nineteenth century the land around Kelly Bray was farmed. Capital put in during the 1820s and 1830s opened tin, copper and lead mines in the area, and in 1843 the mine at Kelly Bray amalgamated with its neighbours Holmbush and Redmoor to form the Callington Mining Company, which employed more than 250 people.

The 1856 directory dates the mine's opening to 1848, when the Callington Mines Company worked it under the name Kelly Bray; it then passed to the Kelly Bray Company. By 1856 it was held on a 21-year lease from 1851, at a royalty of one fifteenth, from Lord Ashburton and the Duchy of Cornwall, and was worked for copper. One shaft had been sunk 130 fathoms and a second was being started; the east shaft had levels from 25 to 100 fathoms. A 36-inch steam engine worked and drained the mine. Silas James was captain and William Watson of Calstock the purser, and ore and machinery went through Cotehele Quay, five miles away.

Mining around Kelly Bray continued until 1946.

Geology

Clay-slate country a quarter of a mile from the Kit Hill granite, with three east-west lodes dipping south: the north lode of quartz, blende, mundic and copper ore, and middle lodes carrying fluor spar and peach as well. Two cross-courses of fluor and spar carry lead and silver.

Workings

One shaft 130 fathoms deep by 1856, with a second being started; the east shaft had levels at 25, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 fathoms. A 36-inch steam engine worked and drained the mine.

Closure

Unknown.

What remains

Unknown.

Redevelopment

Unknown.

Related mines

• Holmbush Mine — Joined with Holmbush and Redmoor in 1843 as the Callington Mining Company; Holmbush lies just north of Kelly Bray.
• Redmoor Mine — Joined with Holmbush and Redmoor in 1843 as the Callington Mining Company.

What's uncertain

Points where sources disagree or the record could not be settled; both accounts are kept. All open questions in the archive.

• In 1843 the mine at Kelly Bray amalgamated with Holmbush and Redmoor to form the Callington Mining Company, employing more than 250 people. (disputed) ¹
• The mine was first opened in 1848 and worked by the Callington Mines Company under the name Kelly Bray, then by the Kelly Bray Company. (disputed) ²

Recorded claims

Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.

• In 1843 the mine at Kelly Bray amalgamated with Holmbush and Redmoor to form the Callington Mining Company, employing more than 250 people. (disputed) ¹
• The mine was first opened in 1848 and worked by the Callington Mines Company under the name Kelly Bray, then by the Kelly Bray Company. (disputed) ²
• In 1856 it was held on a 21-year lease from 1851 at 1/15th, granted by Lord Ashburton and the Duchy of Cornwall. ²
• By 1856 one shaft had been sunk 130 fathoms and the mine was worked by a 36-inch steam engine. ²
• Kelly Bray appears on deposited plans of Callington United with Holmbush, Redmoor and Prince's Lode, worked for copper and lead ores. ³

Sources

1. (secondary) Kelly Bray — Wikipedia
2. (secondary) 1856 Mines in Devon and Cornwall — Grace's Guide
3. (primary) BGS mine plan: Callington United, Holmbush, Kelly Bray, Redmoor and Prince's Lode (copper and lead ores) — British Geological Survey / Mining Remediation Authority

Record created: 19 October 2026 · Last researched: 19 October 2026