King Edward Mine - South Condurrow Mine

South Condurrow Mine

In 1897, Camborne School of Mines took over the abandoned eastern part of the South Condurrow Mine around Engine Shaft. This offered the opportunity to work both William's Lode and the Great Flat Lode down to 400 feet from surface. No pumping was necessary as all water in the mine drained into the then working Grenville mine to the south. Between 1897 and 1906 the mine was almost totally re-equipped based on what was then the best of Cornish mining and milling practice. Engine Shaft and William's Shafts were re-equipped, the underground workings cleared and a number of surface building erected including a complete modern full-scale tin dressing plant, survey office, workshops, and lecture rooms. The original Count House (mine offices) and changehouse facilities were retained. The mine was operated semi-commercially and produced tin on a regular basis, employing some 10-20 men in additional to the college teaching staff. Much of the production work was carried out by students. In 1901, it was renamed King Edward Mine.

Cornish mines, due to conservatism and a lack of cash, were slow to adopt the mechanised dressing equipment and methods which were developed at the end of the 19th century. Most dressing plants of that period merely allowed the pulp coming from the Cornish stamps to settle in long launders from where it was dug out for final treatment in buddles and kieves - a labour intensive and inefficient process. Dolcoath Mine was probably the most progressive mine in the county and the first Californian stamps were erected there around 1892 to be followed by the first vanners and shaking tables about 1898. The mill at King Edward Mine was one of the first Cornish dressing plants to be designed from new to utilise this new equipment.