MineArchiveTrelyon Consols
| Also known as | Trelyon Consolidated Mines, Wheal Venture |
|---|---|
| Location | Trelyon Downs, above St Ives, Cornwall |
| Commodities | Tin, Copper |
| Type | Metal |
| Worked | 1849–1874 |
| Maximum depth | 130 fathoms (238 m) in 1871; 34 fathoms (by another account) |
Overview
A tin mine on Trelyon Downs above St Ives, formed in 1849 from Wheal Venture and other small mines, worked jointly with Providence from 1858 and closed in 1874; its ground is now the Steeple Woodlands nature reserve.
History
Trelyon Consolidated Mines was formed in 1849 from several small mines on Trelyon Downs above St Ives, among them Wheal Venture, which had produced tin in 1836-39, Wheal Widden and Trelyon Downs mine. The same investors bought Wheal Margery, in what are now the grounds of Treloyhan Manor, but sold it in 1853. As the company grew it installed a 24-inch double-acting steam engine for pumping, winding and stamping, driving pumps at Parry's and Lawry's shafts by horizontal flat rods, with a reservoir on the downs for the engine and the dressing floors. In 1858 it agreed with Providence Mines to the south to work its Trelyon Downs section jointly as Providence and Trelyon United, sharing costs and profits.
The mine employed between seventy and a hundred men, women and children, about 120 by 1871. Its six principal shafts were New, Parry's, Lawry's or Engine, Flat Rod, Daniel's and Whip. Between 1849 and 1872 it sold almost 1,200 tons of black tin and about 262 tons of copper ore, and it closed in 1874 after twenty-five years. Its drainage adit ran north-east to the coast and once supplied water to St Ives. The ground is now the Steeple Woodlands nature reserve, owned by Cornwall Council, where the identified shafts have been fenced.
Geology
Tin lodes running north-east in granite, with some copper.
Workings
New, Parry's, Lawry's (Engine), Flat Rod, Daniel's and Whip shafts; a 24-inch engine driving flat rods; a drainage adit to the coast.
Closure
Closed in 1874.
What remains
Within the Steeple Woodlands nature reserve, owned by Cornwall Council; identified shafts are fenced and the mine area replanted with native trees.
Fenced shafts, the reservoir and spoil.
Redevelopment
Nature reserve.
Related mines
- Providence Mines — Worked jointly as Providence and Trelyon United from 1858.
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 1871 the shaft was 130 fathoms deep and about 120 hands were employed. (disputed) 2
- The mine was recorded as only 34 fathoms deep. (disputed) 1
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- Trelyon Consolidated Mines was formed in 1849 from Wheal Venture, Wheal Widden, Trelyon Downs mine and others. 1,2
- In 1858 the Trelyon Downs section was worked jointly with Providence Mines as Providence and Trelyon United. 1
- Between 1849 and 1872 it sold almost 1,200 tons of black tin and just short of 262 tons of 9% copper ore. 1
- In 1871 the shaft was 130 fathoms deep and about 120 hands were employed. (disputed) 2
- The mine was recorded as only 34 fathoms deep. (disputed) 1
- It closed in 1874 after twenty-five years. 1
- Water from the adit formed part of St Ives's supply, piped to a reservoir in Albert Place. 1
Sources
- (secondary) History of Trelyon Consols — Steeple Woodlands
- (secondary) Trelyon Consols — Cornwall Calling
Record created: 18 October 2026 · Last researched: 18 October 2026