THE Prince of Wales mine at Harrowbarrow is set to enjoy major investment to preserve its unique heritage. Cornwall County Council is proposing to consolidate the mining remains at one of the most important mine sites in the area. It will be consulting the public on conserving the archaeological interest of and improving access to the mine and its three engine houses. Chris Hariades, the county's principal environmental projects officer, said a programme of site safety and conservation works would consolidate the most important structures to prevent further decay and enable better public access. He said: 'The full extent of the works will be established following public consultation and an extensive programme of site investigation which will include assessments of the wildlife, archaeological and mineralogical value as well as structural and geotechnical surveys.' The works form part of the £2.1-million East Cornwall Regeneration Project. Mr Hariades added: 'The budget for mine site works included within the project is £680,000, with a further £250,000 towards the development of new trails and path improvement works within the project area.' Much of the mining remains to the southern side of the site have been lost through the development of an industrial estate, but the three engine houses to the north are still standing, together with their chimneys and other structures. The site is currently overgrown and many of the structures are unstable. County and district councillor Godfrey Smale, who is also parish councillor for Calstock and lives in Gunnislake, welcomed any proposals to clean up the mining area. He said: 'The reclamation of this site and cleaning up its environment is something we have been trying to do for years. 'There is the problem of mine waste, particularly the arsenic, and making it safe. We are seeking some sort of method that is acceptable so that the contamination can be checked. 'The more we can get done the better but we will never get rid of all of the waste.' Mr Smale added that local people were fed up with youngsters going on the area riding around on motorbikes and causing noise and nuisance. Residents are invited to attend a public consultation event at Harrowbarrow hall on Thursday, January 11. The meeting will start at 7pm with light refreshments available from 6.30pm. There will be a number of displays to view as well as the opportunity to meet some of the team involved in the project. The evening will included presentations by the county's historic environment service on the history and archaeological significance of the site and by the Tamar Valley Area of National Beauty Service on the wider mining landscape of the Tamar Valley. Residents will have the opportunity to comment on the outline proposals for the Prince of Wales mine site and discuss any concerns and issues with members of the project team. Prince of Wales Mine was established in 1850 by Calstock United Mining Company through the amalgamation of Wheal George, Wheal Barnard and West Edward copper and tin mines. Mining started in 1863 until the early 1870s when the mine closed. It re-opened in 1879 with a larger pumping engine. As the profitability of tin mining rose, the mine invested in a stamping engine house and tin crushing floors. Mining continued through to 1914. From 1863 to 1914 the mine produced 10,845 tons of copper ore, more than 1,000 tons of black tin and 7,720 tons of iron pyrites, the latter yielding arsenic. In the early part of the 20th century a milling plant was erected to process ore taken from surface dumps at other nearby mine sites, which continued periodically until the 1970s.
