Phoenix United Mine facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Disused buildings of Phoenix United Mine
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| Area of Search | Cornwall |
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| Coordinates | 50°31′34″N 4°26′50″W / 50.5261°N 4.4471°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 29.79 hectares (0.298 km2; 0.115 sq mi) |
| Notification | 1996 |
The Phoenix United Mine is an old copper and tin mine in Cornwall, England. It was used in the 1800s but is now closed. Even though it's not used anymore, it's a very special place.
The soil here has metals left over from the mining. These metals have helped special mosses and lichens to grow. Because of these unique plants, the mine is now a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's protected for its amazing nature.
Contents
History of the Mine
This mine started working in 1836. Back then, it was called Cornwall Great United Mines. Before that, it was a few smaller mines like Clanacombe and Wheal Prosper.
In 1842, a man named James Seccombe bought the mine. He changed its name to Phoenix Mine in 1844. Later, it became Phoenix United Mine when another mine, West Phoenix Mine, joined it.
Mining Copper and Tin
At first, the mine mostly dug for copper. The 1850s were the best years for copper production. About 130 people worked there at that time.
By the 1860s, there wasn't much copper left. But a mining expert, William West, saw that there might be tin underground. He bought a big part of the company. In 1864, he got new equipment to start mining tin.
The mine grew bigger and bigger. By 1865, about 460 people worked there. In the 1870s, the number of workers reached 600! The mine used the Liskeard and Caradon Railway to move the metals away. This railway also brought coal to the mine.
Closing Down
Later, the prices for tin and copper dropped a lot. Because of this, the West Phoenix Mine stopped working in 1898. The very last part of the mine, called the Prince of Wales Shaft, closed in 1914.
Where is Phoenix United Mine?
The Phoenix United Mine is in Linkinhorne, a village in Cornwall. It's on the edge of Bodmin Moor. This is about 5 miles (8 km) north of the town of Liskeard.
The special protected area covers about 29.8 hectares (73.6 acres). It was officially made an SSSI in 1996. The mine site is also part of a bigger protected area. This area is called Phoenix United Mine and Crow's Nest Special Area of Conservation.
Wildlife and Special Plants
The ground at Phoenix United Mine is very special. It has a lot of metals from the old mining work. This makes it hard for many normal plants to grow. But it's perfect for other kinds of plants!
This unique soil helps bryophytes (which are mosses and liverworts) and lichens to grow really well. Phoenix United Mine is important because it has some very rare bryophytes.
Rare Liverworts and Mosses
Near a stream that has a lot of metals, you can find three types of liverworts. These are super rare in the UK. They are listed in the Red Data Book, which lists plants that are in danger. These special liverworts are Cephaloziella integerrima, Cephaloziella massalongi, and Cephaloziella nicholsonii. Another rare liverwort, Cephaloziella stellulifera, also grows here.
The mine also supports two types of moss that are rare in the UK. These are Gymnostomum viridulum and Gymnostomum calcareum.
One of the most amazing plants here is the Cornish path moss (Ditrichum cornubicum). This moss grows in only two places in the whole world! One is Phoenix United Mine, and the other is Crow's Nest. This moss is a "pioneer species." This means it's one of the first plants to grow on bare ground, especially on soil with mine waste.
Bats at the Mine
The old mine tunnels, called adits, are also important for animals. Greater horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) use these tunnels as a safe place to sleep in winter. Other types of bats also fly around the mine site to find food.
