BALWEYTH
“Balweyth” is inspired by my Grandad, a man who couldn’t wait to become a grandfather, but passed shortly before I was born. He, along with many other members of my family dedicated decades of their lives to mining, the industry that made Cornwall the place it is today. Cornwall was once an industrial powerhouse, providing jobs and income across the county, however Industrial decline took this away and it is a very different place to what it used to be. ‘Balweyth’ is an exploration into my own heritage as well as the industry that was so vital to Cornwall and its development, and how this loss has changed the place I call home.
With a rich history rooted in mining non-ferrous minerals like Tin and Copper, Cornwall's mining legacy dates back to the Bronze Age. As a result of the rich Tin and Copper minerals, Arsenic was also produced as a by-product at some of Cornwall’s biggest mines. Additionally, other materials such as Slate Granite and China Clay can also be found in the county.
During the 19th century, Cornwall experienced a mining boom propelled by the industrial revolution. The revolution saw the introduction of new machinery which enabled mines to be worked more easily. Canals and Railways were also built to facilitate the transportation of materials both nationally and internationally.
The 20th century however brought challenges, with foreign competition beginning to depress the prices of Tin and Copper. This price crash meant mining in Cornwall became unprofitable. Attempts to revive the industry were made shortly after, however the success was short lived. This has left Cornwall with no operational Tin or Copper mines.
Mining in Cornwall is not completely redundant. Several quarries across the county are still in operation. These sites produce a range of materials, such as Slate, Granite and China Clay. A positive example of current mining in the region is the St Austell China Clay deposits. The deposits here have produced around 120 million tonnes of China Clay, with estimations that they can keep producing for at least another 50 years.
Delabole Slate Quarry
The Caradon Mining District
Botallack
Levant