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THIS OBJECT IS PART OF THE PROJECT 'A HISTORY OF CORNWALL IN 100 OBJECTS'.

GEEVOR TIN MINE. When the price of tin collapsed 25 years ago, Geevor was threatened with closure and the mine looked to the Government for financial help. A local support group was formed to help save mining at Geevor and raise the profile of the mine. This group chose 'Viva Geevor' as their campaign slogan.

As well as T-shirts, the group produced videos and badges to sell for their campaign fund, made banners and organised a petition and a march on Downing Street in 1986. Representatives from the other remaining Cornish mines joined them. Unfortunately, this was to be the beginning of the end for tin mining in the Geevor and St Just Mining District after some 4,000 years of mining activity. Around 380 jobs were lost and the pumps turned off in May 1991 finally flooding the mine workings. Since 1993 Geevor has been run as a heritage site with former miners as expert guides. In 2006 Geevor was designated a Key Centre within the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site.

Photo: Bernie Pettersen