Dolcoath mine (Cornish: Bal Dorkoth} was a copper and tin mine located at Camborne. The name ‘Dolcoath’ is derived from the Cornish for 'Old Ground'.
Dolcoath was known as The Queen of Cornish Mines, becoming the deepest and largest mine in Cornwall.
Dolcoath was an old mine being worked from the late 16th Century until 1921. The company was refinance and a shaft opened at Roskear in 1923. The sett was acquired by South Crofty Mine in 1936. Whilst some of the surface remains have been conserved - new housing development and roadways have encroached onto the site 2000.
To-date your web master has only visited the site on two occasions – once with a film camera and most recently with a digital camera in 2017.
However, given the damp and misty day apart from exploring part of the area around Wheal Harriet Shaft a decision was made to defer further exploration until the spring of 2018 when I next return to the area.
Some images in this gallery have had the sky digitally enhanced to brighten up a drab day.
A sheave wheel commemorating Harriett Shaft opposite.
Harriet's Shaft area - Dolcoath mine. The former miners' dry building on this site is now the Elim Church.
This German built Cornish boiler which was installed at Wheal Harriet Shaft, Dolcoath originally came from Toldish Tin & Iron Mine being installed alongside the winding engine after a period of storage at South Crofty Mine in 2009.
Installed on its original footings in 2009 are the re-erected remains of the 1897 Worsley Mesnes of Wigan duplex steam winding engine. After Dolcoath closed the engine was moved to Roskear Shaft at New Dolcoath when a second winding drum was installed. After the closure of New Dolcoath in 1929 the engine was left abandoned until parts were removed for display at the Astley Green Colliery Museum in Greater Manchester.
New East Shaft engine house. The pipes inserted in the gable ends of the building were provided for the power lines to enter the building to connect with a transformer inside.
New Sump Shaft compressor house of 1886 which housed a Holman Compressor for powering the rock drills.
New Sump Shaft compressor house. The house built in 1886 housed a Holman Compressor for powering rock drills.
New Sump Shaft compressor house Minerals Tramway plaque. The house built in 1886 housed a Holman Compressor for powering rock drills.