X-Nico

unusual facts about mining in Cornwall



Portreath

In the 19th century, Portreath was, with Devoran on the south coast, one of the main ports for sending the copper ore mined in the Gwennap area to Swansea for smelting.

Safety fuse

In 1831 William Bickford, an English merchant and a Methodist, originally from Ashburton, Devon, moved to the heart of the Cornish mining district near Camborne; where at Tuckingmill he developed the first practical and reliable means for igniting gunpowder when mining, the "Safety Fuze".

Todpool

During the 19th century, Todpool was an important site for tin mining due to its proximity to Poldice mine.


see also