THE timetable that could see derelict mine sites in the Tamar Valley joining the Great Pyramids and the Taj Mahal on a register of the world's most precious places has been set in motion.

The Tamar Valley and other areas in Devon and Cornwall containing 18 important mine sites will be submitted to UNESCO, the world heritage governing body in July 2002.

It is expected to take more than 18 months for UNESCO to make its inspections, but Cornwall's archaeologists are hopeful the area will be listed by Christmas 2004.

Work was begun recently at the Okeltor mine near Calstock, in preparation for the bid, to stop the building crumbling back into the enveloping greenery and to make the area around mine-shafts safe for increased public access. The first stage of similar work at Gunnislake Clitters, below Dimson, began at the end of June.

One of the biggest difficulties the authorities are facing is one of public perception.

Cornwall Archaeology Unit chief Nick Johnson said: 'You don't have to persuade people Durham Cathedral, Stonehenge and Hadrian's Wall are important, but it's going to require a real change of attitude to see the mines in the same light.

'When people think of the Tamar Valley they think of the beauty. Yes it is beautiful but the most important thing is the mine landscape — it's more important internationally than Gunnislake's mediæval Newbridge.'

The reason Cornish mining is so important is that it dominated the world of hard-rock mining for the first half of the 19th century.

A significant proportion of the world's tin and copper was mined in Cornwall, and the technology was transported all around the world. Cornish engine houses can even be found in Australia and the USA.

But the mines are now a prime site for fly tippers and in many parts of the valley the beauty is only skin deep.

'No one dumps fridges at Machu Pichu, but they do at Gunnislake Clitters and that's really strange,' said Mr Johnson. 'There are plenty of people in Devon and Cornwall who have no sympathy with keeping these mucky, dirty places around so there's a job to be done.'

Mine waste is another major problem for the project.

Cornwall County Council land reclamation officer Peter Sainsbury said: 'We are trying to work with private landowners to deal with problems of waste in the ground, so people can visit them safely for many years to come to experience the countryside and the mining heritage,' he said.

Trails connecting the sites with the Tamar Discovery Trail, other existing footpath systems and the public transport network will be built. Some, such as one on the river bank at Calstock, will be accessible for those with mobility difficulties.

'Then more people in the area can go visit them,' said Mr Sainsbury. 'They are very interesting sites and well worth visiting. And along with the enhancement works we are doing at the moment it's another reason for people to come to Calstock.

'Hopefully, we will encourage more people to visit the area and help stimulate the local economy.'

The bid for World Heritage status does not include just the mines. The entire mining landscape has been included, covering the miners' villages, smallholdings, harbours and railways.

Instead of using the World Heritage designation to protect the area, more conventional designations would be used, most of which are already in force.

Mr Johnson was keen to stress that the benefits of the World Heritage status would outweigh any of the drawbacks.

'It's hard to think of a world heritage site that has not enjoyed economic regeneration as a result,' he said.

'The balance between restriction and opportunity seems to be squarely in favour of opportunity — I don't think Bath has suffered in any way — it has boomed as a result.'