Cornish Metals starts excavation for South Crofty processing plant

(Sharecast News) - Cornish Metals said Thursday that it has started excavation work for the new processing plant at its South Crofty tin project in Cornwall, as part of wider development activity aimed at bringing the historic mine back into production. The AIM-traded company said the initial phase of the plant site excavation began in August and involved removing topsoil and handling organic material in line with environmental regulations.

It said it had also started demolishing the old north winder house and dismantling the existing north winder to clear the way for a new building that would house a production winder ordered from engineering firm Qualter Hall.

Meanwhile, work on the mid-shaft pump station was progressing as planned, with the underground chamber stabilised and removal of old pumps, pipes and steelwork under way ahead of installing new permanent pumps.

Cornish Metals said it was seeking to restart South Crofty as the only primary tin producer in Europe or North America.

The permitted underground mine benefitted from existing infrastructure and "strong" local and government backing, the board said, with the potential to create more than 300 direct jobs.

At 1239 BST, shares in Cornish Metals were up 0.75% at 7.36p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.