Fowey Consols mine facts for kids
The Fowey Consols mine was a very important group of mines in Cornwall, England. It was located near the town of St Blazey. These mines were famous for digging up a lot of copper. They were owned by a rich and powerful Cornishman named Joseph Treffry.
The Fowey Consols was known as one of the deepest and richest copper mines in Cornwall. It played a big part in the area's history.
Contents
History of the Mines
Early Beginnings
The mines that later became Fowey Consols started working in 1813. At that time, they had different names. They were called Wheal Treasure, Wheal Fortune, and Wheal Chance. These early mines stopped working in 1819.
Joseph Treffry's Purchase
In 1822, Joseph Treffry bought these mines. He decided to combine them all into one big operation. This is when they became known as Fowey Consols. The word "Consols" means "consolidated" or "joined together."
Expanding the Mines
The Fowey Consols mine grew even bigger over time. In 1836, another nearby mine was added to the group. This mine was called Lanescot mine. Adding Lanescot helped Fowey Consols become even more productive.
How the Mines Operated
Powering the Work
Mining was hard work and needed a lot of power. The Fowey Consols mine used many machines to help. They had six powerful steam engines. These engines helped pump water out of the deep mines. They also helped lift ore to the surface.
The mine also used seventeen waterwheels. These wheels used the power of flowing water. They helped to crush the rocks and process the copper ore. Using both steam and water power made the mine very efficient.
Transporting the Copper
Getting the mined copper to market was very important. The Fowey Consols mine was connected to the port at Par by a canal. This canal was like a special waterway. It allowed boats to carry the heavy copper ore easily. This link to the port helped the mine send its copper all over the world.
Minerals Found at Fowey Consols
Unique Discoveries
The Fowey Consols mine is famous for its minerals. It is known as the "type locality" for two special minerals. A type locality is the place where a mineral was first found and described.
The two minerals first found here are:
- Langite
- Rhabdophane-(Ce)
Many Different Minerals
In total, scientists have found 34 different types of minerals at Fowey Consols. This shows how rich and varied the geology of the area was. It makes the mine an important site for mineral studies.
