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About the GWVCE group
In January 2021 it became clear that Cornish Tin Ltd had approached certain households in the Wheal Vor area asking the landowners to sign access agreements, to allow them to carry out drilling on their property in return for financial compensation. About 60% of the landowners who had been approached, signed access agreements. Others declined to do so.
It is usual in Cornwall for the deeds of a property to show that the owner possesses the land and any buildings, but they do not normally own the minerals below the surface. These rights are generally held by the heirs to the estate which originally owned the property. It is common practice for a mining exploration company like Cornish Tin to form an agreement with the owners of the mineral rights, giving them the legal right to mineral exploration.
In some cases, when Cornish Tin have been asked to provide evidence that they possess the mineral rights, they have either been unwilling or unable to do so.
Map of Cornish Tin Ltd's Great Wheal Vor Project Area
When members of the community became aware of the plans for mineral exploration in the area, a community group (the Great Wheal Vor Community and Environment Group) was formed to protect Wheal Vor.
The specific aims of Protect Wheal Vor are:
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To provide support to local residents who may be experiencing mental and emotional stress as a result of the uncertainty generated by the speculative activities of a mining company.
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To Protect Wheal Vor, its wildlife, its environment and its groundwater and watercourses
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To provide robust and fully researched opposition to any escalation towards full scale mining.
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To provide information to help residents form their own views about the efficacy of mining in Breage Parish.
In July 2021 Cornish Tin was granted a General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) (PA21 06669) from Cornwall Council, to proceed with the first phase of an exploratory drilling operation of 33 planned drill holes on 26 sites within the area. Drilling eventually began in Spring 2022. A second phase carried on through the autumn until November 2023 under a GPDO extension (PA22 07464)
In mid December 2023 Cornish Tin applied for a further GPDO (PA23 10066) which was approved in January 2024. This was for a further 22 boreholes in and around Trew and Polladras. All the public comments submitted in the brief time scales permitted, were strongly opposed to the application. Cornish Tin commenced this program in February 2024 but stopped unexpectedly in May (?), apparently without completing their schedule.Cornish Tin have suggested that should a future mine entrance ever be planned it is likely that access would be via a decline which could be up to three kilometers long, so areas as far away as Crowntown, and Sithney could be affected.
Map of the second GPDO proposed boreholes
Cornish Tin have suggested that a future mine entrance could be up to three kilometres from the borehole sites, so areas as far away as Crowntown, Polladras and Sithney could be affected. Porthleven Stream could see a serious increase in water pollution. Wildlife, tourism, livelihoods and our cherished environment are all under threat.