Cornish Metals opens South Crofty water treatment plant

Tin-focussed mineral explorer and developer Cornish Metals announced a significant milestone on Thursday, with the official opening of its water treatment plant (WTP) as part of its efforts to revitalise the South Crofty mine.

The AIM-traded firm said the successful wet commissioning of the WTP and the establishment of a high-density sludge bed within the plant were paving the way for the start of treated water discharge from South Crofty into the Red River.

Starting the week of 30 October, the discharge rate would reach up to 25,000 cubic metres per day.

The company explained that the process involved pumping raw mine water from 360 metres in the New Cook’s Kitchen shaft to the WTP, using two specialised high-head 950 kW vertical submersible pumps.

It said the entire mine dewatering operation was expected to take 18 months, during which time the treated water would conform to its authorised standards set by the Environment Agency for safe discharge into the Red River.

The significance of the initiative extended beyond the mine itself, Cornish Metals claimed, explaining that the discharge of treated water would improve water quality in the Red River, which had long suffered from the effects of untreated mine water stemming from historic mining activities.

Additionally, the water discharged from South Crofty would serve a dual purpose by powering a hydro-turbine, generating around 15% of the energy required by the WTP.

Cornish Metals said it was also exploring additional opportunities for renewable heat use, capitalising on the constant temperature of the treated water at 25 degrees Celsius throughout the year.

The unique resource had the potential to provide heating for at least 800 local homes, the board claimed.

“The start of dewatering of the South Crofty mine is an important milestone for the continued advancement of the project towards an investment decision,” said chief executive officer and director Richard Williams.

“Teams from Cornish Metals, our suppliers and dedicated local contractors have worked extremely hard over the last year to get to this point.

“Planning and preparation are underway for the re-accessing of the mine, which will take place in parallel with mine dewatering.”

At 1217 BST, shares in Cornish Metals were up 15.47% at 10.97p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.