Penberthy Croft Mine facts for kids
Penberthy Croft Mine is an old mine that is no longer used. It is located in Cornwall, England, in the UK. You can find it north of a small area called St Hilary, about 5 miles (8 km) east of the town of Penzance.
This mine is very special because it has been named a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a protected place because of its unique natural features. It's also listed as nationally important in the Geological Conservation Review.
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Why is Penberthy Croft Mine Special?
Penberthy Croft Mine is incredibly important for its geology and the rare minerals found there. It's known as the "world type locality" for two specific minerals: connellite and bayldonite. This means these two minerals were first discovered and described at this very mine!
Amazing Minerals Found Here
The mine is considered the most important place in Britain for certain types of minerals. These are called "secondary ore minerals" of lead, copper, and arsenic. Secondary minerals form when other minerals change over time. Scientists have found and recorded 40 different kinds of minerals at this site!
A Look Back: History of the Mine
Mines like Penberthy Croft needed a lot of work to keep them running. One big challenge was always water. Mines often fill up with water, making it hard for miners to work.
The Pumping Engine
In 1880, a new and powerful pumping engine was built at the mine. It had a 36-inch cylinder and was made by a company called Messrs George Eustice and Cooper. This engine was very good at its job! In just the first four hours of working, it managed to drain about nine to ten fathoms of water from the mine. (A fathom is an old unit of measurement, about 6 feet or 1.8 meters). This helped miners get to the valuable minerals deeper underground.
