West Caradon Mine

Overview

The copper mine on the west side of the Seaton valley below Caradon Hill, started in 1837-39 to follow South Caradon's lodes; for a decade from 1846 it out-produced its famous neighbour, raised over 85,000 tons of copper ore and closed in 1874.

History

West Caradon Mine worked the western ends of the copper lodes in the Seaton valley below Caradon Hill, across the valley from South Caradon. Trials began in 1837, encouraged by South Caradon's success, and after a new lease of 1839 work soon succeeded; the first copper was sold in 1841. A 30-inch pumping engine was at work by 1843, the year a miner was killed by its descending bob, and Elliot's shaft was begun in 1844. The mine employed 553 people in 1845 and about 600 in 1854, and from 1846 to 1855 its output at times exceeded South Caradon's. By one account of 1865 it had divided some £100,000 in profit on an outlay of £10,000 over about twenty years.

Its lodes, among them Taylor's, Gilpin's, Kitford's, Dunstan's, Vivian's North and South, Menadue, Main or Allan's, Clymo's and Jope's, were worked from Elliot's (80 fathoms), Couch's (104), Marina's, Hallett's, Fox's, Footway and Rickard's shafts. A 50-inch pumping engine and a horizontal whim went onto Elliot's shaft in 1854 and a 30-inch pumping engine onto Hallett's in 1860. Through the 1860s the eastern ground was exhausted and the work moved west onto smaller veins as copper prices fell; engines were sold in 1869-70, work centred on Marina's shaft, and the sett was abandoned in 1874 with the remaining engines sold. The western part was reworked as New West Caradon from 1880, but, dependent on South Caradon's pumping, it raised only 293 tons and was given up in 1885-86. In all West Caradon produced some 85,000 to 92,000 tons of copper ore. Little remains above ground beyond the waste tips, partly reworked, and the stack of Elliot's shaft.

Geology

Copper lodes: Taylor's, Gilpin's, Kitford's, Dunstan's, Vivian's North and South, Menadue, Main (Allan's), Clymo's and Jope's.

Workings

Elliot's, Couch's, Marina's, Hallett's, Fox's, Footway and Rickard's shafts; 30-inch and 50-inch pumping engines, whims, stamps and a crusher.

Closure

Abandoned in 1874 as the eastern reserves ran out and copper prices fell; the western ground was reworked as New West Caradon from 1880 to 1885-86.

What remains

Little survives above ground except waste tips, partly reworked for minerals and hardcore, and the chimney of Elliot's shaft.

The stack and engine footings at Elliot's shaft, and waste tips.

Redevelopment

Unknown.

Related mines

• South Caradon Mine — Neighbours on the same lodes across the Seaton valley; New West Caradon depended on South Caradon's pumping.

What's uncertain

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

• Trials began in 1837 following South Caradon's success. (disputed) ^1,2
• Mining began in 1839. (disputed) ³

Recorded claims

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

• Trials began in 1837 following South Caradon's success. (disputed) ^1,2
• Mining began in 1839. (disputed) ³
• In 1843 a miner was killed by the descending bob of a 30-inch engine. ¹
• In 1845 it employed 553 people, and through 1846-55 its production at times exceeded South Caradon's. ^1,2
• The sett was abandoned in 1874 as reserves and copper prices fell. ^1,2,3
• New West Caradon worked the western part from 1880, relying on South Caradon's pumping, and was abandoned in 1885. ^1,3
• The mine produced over 85,000 tons of copper ore. ^2,3
• The dumps below Caradon Hill belong to West Caradon; the stack belongs to Elliot's shaft. ^4,5

Sources

1. (secondary) West Caradon Mine — Explore Cornwall
2. (secondary) West Caradon Mine timeline — TeamManley South Caradon pages (oocities archive)
3. (secondary) West Caradon Mine — iWalk Cornwall
4. (observational) West Caradon Mine - Elliots Shaft — Northern Mine Research Society
5. (observational) Caradon Mining District — Cornish Mine Images

Record created: 17 October 2026 · Last researched: 17 October 2026