CORNISH-L Archives

From: "John Coles" <>
Subject: Re: South Crofty Lament and Carpet-baggers
Date: Sat, 14 Apr 84 21:13:33 PST

Hi All,

I've taken the unusual step of leaving all the relevant postings attached below.

The clear message from the majority of people connected with South Crofty, and from those who know and understand the business aspects, is that:

a) There are fabulous reserves in the mine, proved by both the lodes being worked in the Roskear section of the mine (very high tin content, and very wide lodes) and by diamond drilling into the 430 and 470 fathom levels below the current working level.

b) The key to the profitability of the mine is to reduce pumping costs (by using waste materials to generate electricity); to reduce transport costs (by locating the ore seperation point and smelter at the mine); and to capitalise on the very large land bank held by the mine.

c) The miners want to be miners, not tour guides. They are Cornishmen through and through, and WILL adapt if they have to. But they don't believe they have to.

d) I have been convinced that there is the will to save the mine itself, and the associated assets. But the shares have been frozen on the Toronto Stock Exchange, and may well (as a consequence) be suspended in Vancouver as well. That makes dealing on the open market kind of difficult.

Avenues are being explored in a positive mood, and I remain optimistic.

With kind regards to all for the messages of support.

John.

----------
>
> Whilst the South Crofty miners are 'real' men and want a proper job, the
> reality is that they are now unemployed. There is NO other mines willing
> to employ them. Adapt or perish. Harsh words but lets face it they need a
> future and at least this is a positive attempt to suggest ways they can
> adapt and continue to be employed (of course not all will be needed).
> Other constructive ideas for their future is the ONLY useful thing that we
> can offer now. Wanting to produce TIN will not make it happen.
>
> Of course if the miners know of some way to profitably extract the TIN and
> can raise the capital, buy out the mine (etc..) then that is what they
> should do.
>
> Also, I offer no offence. I just think we should be part of the solution
> not part of the problem.
>
> David.
> ----------
> From: John Coles
> Sent: Saturday, 7 March 1998 19:56
> To: Peter Siegel; NHicks8905;
> Subject: Re: South Crofty Lament and Carpet-baggers
>
> Hi Peter and all,
>
> I have to tell you (and please don't take offence) that the miners
> of South Crofty are real men, and proud men, who want to do a
> 'proper job' (which is 'proper Cornish' after all).
>
> They want to produce TIN, not Tourists.
>
> Geevor Mine, at Pendeen, is already doing this, but the Crofty
> miners will tell you that there is real tin ore still in that mine.
>
> John.
>
> ----------
> > HI Nigel:
> >
> > I think that there should immediately be a movement to turn the Last
> > Operating Mine in Cornwall into a National Historic Site...........
> Perhaps
> > the Millennial Fund could be approached to get 200,000 pounds or so, so
> > that Mr. giddings doesn't take a loss, But the site is an Historic one,
> and
> > there must be some way that a park or something could be created, for the
> > future benefit of the miners and their children. I will see if I can find
> a
> > picture of the site on the web so I can think of some other ideas......
> > There is a mine in the US that is now used as a display, and the miners
> > take people into it on tours. I have forgotten the name of the mine but
> it

> > is in Ely Minnesota............. What have you got to lose? I think you
> > said there is to be a march tomorrow, maybe you could talk it up there
> and
> > get opinion moving?????
> >
> > If this is a stupid idea, please ignore it, I come from a family of stone
> > masons, the deepest underground much of my family ever got was the
> > basement........
> >
> >
> > Regards,
> > Peter.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
> >
> > ----------
> > > From: NHicks8905 <>
> > > To:
> > > Subject: Re: South Crofty Lament and Carpet-baggers
> > > Date: March 6, 1998 5:34 PM
> > >
> > > Hi All
> > >
> > > It is now close to 10.00 pm here in Cornwall and the last shift to work
> > in a
> > > Cornish tin mine will be shortly coming up to grass.
> > >
> > > It has been a miserable day here today with both wind, rain and drizzle
> > which
> > > has matched the feeling of people and miners in the area.
> > >
> > > Once again there has been a mass of television activity to cover the
> > reaction,
> > > of both miners and local dignatories, to the day's events. I must say
> > that
> > > much of the reaction has been one of shock and utter disgust once it
> > became
> > > known that the mine's managing director, David Giddings, has been
> trying
> > for
> > > some time to acquire a majority share-holding in the operation, whilst
> at
> > the
> > > same time claiming to be doing his utmost to help secure its future and
> > that
> > > of the miners.
> > >
> > > Last night it became known that he had achieved his goal, for the
> > princely sum
> > > of less than 200,000 Pounds Stirling. He now effectively owns the mine
> > and,
> > > having confirmed that it will close, is sitting on top of a piece of
> real
> > > estate whose value must be in the order of several million pounds!
> > >
> > > I strongly suspect, and I say this with extensive experience of how our
> > local
> > > Council operates, that it will be only a matter of time before a
> planning
> > > permission is granted, and Mr Giddings realises the full capital value
> of
> > his
> > > newly acquired assets. Need I say more?
> > >
> > > Most of you, especially those in the USA, will now understand my
> > reference to
> > > "carpet-baggers" in the subject heading!
> > >
> > > Tomorrow's events will terminate in a Rally at Redruth, where it is
> > certain
> > > that much anger will be vented. Normally, most Cornish people in
> > Cornwall
> > > tend to be fairly apathetic and take the "dreckly" attitude. However,
> > > following all that has happened here recently, and especially now that
> we
> > know
> > > about Mr Giddings, the feeling that things have to change is very
> > tangible. I
> > > don't think that it will be too long before "Nationalism", in the
> nicest
> > > possibe way, becomes a very real and popular possibility.
> > >
> > > Nigel
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>

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• Re: South Crofty Lament and Carpet-baggers by "John Coles" <>