Post-Conference Field Trip | FT06 View all field trips
Cornwall: Reinvigorated Historic District–Sn, W, Li, Cu, Industrial Minerals
Description
The 6-day field trip to Cornwall will highlight the recent revival of interest in this world-renowned historic mining district, and the ongoing research and development in the recovery of elements critical to the successful transition to a zero-carbon economy. The historic maritime town of Falmouth, with its beautiful beaches, great pubs and myriad fantastic places to eat, will be used as the base throughout.
On arrival into Exeter St David's just before lunchtime on the first day, we will have an introductory presentation over lunch on health-safety and logistics issues, Cornish geology, metallogeny and mining history. The trip will then kick off the trip with a visit to the Drakelands (Hemerdon) open-pit tungsten – tin mine. This intrusive-hosted Sn-W stockwork deposit operated intermittently during the First and Second World Wars. It was extensively explored in the 1970-1980's. However, due to then prevailing economic conditions it was not developed until 2014. Initial processing problems have now been overcome with production of high-grade tungstate and tin concentrate due to be back on stream in 2023.
Day 2 will include visits to the China-clay pits at St. Austell, where we will go on a "Pit 2 Port" tour with Imerys. If possible, we will view the world class tourmaline breccia at Wheal Remfry. The tour will give us an overview of the whole China Clay production process, following the journey of the material from extraction in the pit, through the drying process and finally to the port at Fowey where it is exported globally. In the afternoon we will visit Cornish Lithium's hard rock lithium Trelavour project near St. Dennis, where the lithium mineralisation is in the form of lithium-bearing micas within the granite. Here the team are working towards a project Feasibility Study for the production of battery grade lithium from an extant China Clay pit at Trelavour Downs. There may be an opportunity to view their demonstration phase processing plant.
On the following day we will visit two more active exploration and development projects within the Camborne-Redruth Mining District - Cornish Metals' South Crofty, and Cornish Lithium's geothermal waters test facility at United Downs. The day will conclude with an Evening Reception at the Camborne School of Mines' Penryn Campus and an opportunity to meet with the next generation of geoscientists.
On Day 4 we will explore the geology of the Camborne - St Agnes Mining Area, part of the UNESCO Cornwall and West Devon Mining World Heritage Site. We will visit the cross-cutting sulphide-rich lodes at Trevaunce Cove, St. Agnes, the greisen bordered sheeted vein complex at Cligga Head and conclude with a souvenir opportunity at Blue Hills Tin working tin stamp and buddles.
Day 5 takes us to the rugged coast of West Cornwall. We'll take a drive though the stunning scenery of West Penwith and St. Michael's Mount with visits to the iconic Engine House at Botallack and the historic Geevor mine. The trip will conclude with a visit to the massive quartz-tourmaline exposure at Roche Rock, before continuing on to the Eden Project where a worked-out China Clay pit has been transformed into a global garden and cultural venue.
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About the Leaders
Jens Andersen
University of Exeter
Jens is associate professor in economic geology at Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter. His research is concerned with the exploration for and extractive properties of energy critical metals and minerals associated with magmatic and hydrothermal systems. Principal research focus is to develop a better understanding of metals associated with igneous rocks, including PGE, Ni, Co, V, and Ti in mafic–ultramafic layered intrusions and Li, In, Sn and W in granite-related magmatic-hydrothermal systems. His ultimate objective is to increase the global availability of resources that facilitate the transition to a low-carbon society.
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Sam Hughes
Camborne School of Mines
Sam is a senior lecturer in geology at the Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter. His research focus is primarily based on the geology of SW England, particularly with structural geology, tectonics, and granite magmatism. Sam's postgraduate research was based on understanding tectonomagmatic controls on granite pluton construction and the processes leading to the magmatic-hydrothermal transition in west Cornwall, focusing on the Land's End Granite. His involvement in education at the University of Exeter includes teaching and supervision on a variety of our undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes within the disciplines of surveying and geology. He is also programme director for the undergraduate geology programmes. External engagement includes outreach within schools and colleges, as well as promoting geoscience through involvement with societies (Ussher Society, Geological Society SW Regional Group), and through social media (Cornwall Geologist).
Having grown up in St Ives, Cornwall, it is a privilege to now work locally within geology and promote the geoscience of SW England.
Registration
Early Deadline: June 30, 2023
Regular Deadline: August 11, 2023
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| All prices are in United States dollars (USD). SEG reserves the right to cancel this event should minimum attendance numbers not be met by June 30, 2023. All registrants will be given a full refund should SEG cancel the course. Cancellation policy, event photography, dietary restrictions, and more are detailed in the SEG Conference terms and conditions. |
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