A View of
South Caradon Mine
TeamManley
Gonomena Openworks
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South Caradon Mine |
Gonomena Openworks |
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 A view across the openworks with the masts of Caradon Hill on the horizon. The head of the excavation is to the left. |
These openworks represent
the earliest recorded mineral workings in the area and they form a huge scar on
Caradon Hill's western slopes. Tin was the mineral
taken out of the ground here, not the copper that the surrounding mines
dug deeper for.
The date of commencement of workings is lost in history but records exist showing it operational in 1662. Cau suggests that the huge excavation is a result of 17th Century work (Stuarts, Civil war and Commonwealth periods). Tin working may have been undertaking in this area since the Bronze age, and streaming probably occurred during the early medieval period. But, the evidence is now lost under the upheaval caused by the later mining activity. |
Part of 1863 Geological map, by BrentonSymons. |
Some experts
consider that the excavation could have been a stockwork
whilst others a large
stream working. Collins described it as a very ancient working
on the backs of
several lodes and stringer lodes.
Its massive size, up to 70 meters wide and 16 metres deep has given rise to a suggestion that up to 14,000 tons of ore could have been extracted (ref.Collins). For its time this working probably was as successful as the adjoining South Caradon Mine was in the Victorian era. The shape of the excavation can be
seen in the map on the left. It joins the Seaton valley just below Gonamena farm
and runs north east with a large easterly branch. Documentary evidence indicates
that a stamping mill existed within the workings, probably near its lower
end. Further evidence of
tin streaming can be seen downstream on the Seaton river.
The full Brenton Symons 1863 map is available as an interactive CD-ROM.
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