Trewavas Mine
50° 5' 22" N 5° 21' 32" WWheal Trewavas mine is perched precariously on the cliffs between Rinsey Cove and Porthleven.
The operation ran between 1834 and 1846 and was a moderately successful mine employing around 160 men and bringing up around 17,500 tons of copper ore (valued at over £100,000 in those days). The mine was eventually flooded and abandoned. It is likely this was allowed to happen due to the diminishing yield making it unviable to continue mining. In fact, it has been suggested that at the end of Wheal Trewavas’ years the dividend was being paid out of bank overdrafts.
There are two engine houses. The building to the west served the first shaft, Old Engine Shaft, which was in operation by 1834. It housed an engine with a cylinder diameter of 18-inches, to pump water from the mine. To the east, New Engine Shaft began operation in 1836; it had a 45-inch cylinder engine.
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- Carpark (National Trust)
- Hazard: Cliffs
- Hazard: Mine shafts / workings
- Not suitable for wheelchairs
- 20 minute walk from carpark
History of Trewavas Mine
Wheal Trewavas is a former tin and copper mine located on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, UK. It operated from 1834 to 1865 and was one of the region’s most successful mines, producing large quantities of copper and tin.
The mine was known for its complex and challenging geology, which made extraction difficult. Today, visitors can see the remains of the mine, including the engine house and other structures, which have been preserved as part of Cornwall’s mining heritage.
Travel / Parking information for Trewavas Mine
Directions to Trewavas Mine
Trewavas Mine is in a isolated location between Rinsey and Porthleven and will require a 20 minute walk from Rinsey Cove or a 45 minute walk from Porthleven along the coast path.
Parking for Trewavas Mine
The nearest parking is at Rinsey Cove and you can walk along the coast path for around 20 minutes to reach the mine.