As one of the south west’s top mining experts, Cornwall Consultants were approached by television producers Twofour Studios to assist with some footage for a My5 ‘My Cornwall’ documentary with Fern Britton. We were asked to help with filming at the mythical ‘Blue Mine’ in Gwennap, so naturally, we jumped at the chance!
The location of the famous ‘Blue Mine’ of Gwennap is a closely guarded secret and the chance to explore the famous blue chambers of the lower workings were too good an opportunity to pass up. We sent one of our Geologists Tim Green along to provide his advice and expertise regarding the geology of the area and the historic activity of the mine.
The mine itself was worked from the 1700’s and soon became one of the largest producers of copper in Cornwall. Mining operations ended around 1900 and the workings were abandoned, only to be rediscovered in the 1980’s when the fantastic ‘Blue Tunnels’ were seen for the first time. The remarkable blue flow staining and formations have formed by copper sulphates called langanite which have leached from the copper ore deposits during the decades since the mine was abandoned. Bright blue stalactites hang from the ceiling of the cramped workings and electric blue flow formations run down the walls of the tunnels and form on the floor, it is truly a sight to behold.
Tim was promptly placed in front of the camera and sent off down an access shaft, down through the stoped workings and several winzes (internal shafts) deep down into the lower tunnels of the mine where the blue langanite had formed. Tim explains how he was kept in a dark tunnel until the lighting set-up was complete, to ensure his response to the tunnels upon being seen for the first time was captured by the cameras. He describes the first site of the tunnels as ‘magical’ with the intricate shining formations and the blue colour so intense it was almost surreal! All too soon though it was time to pack up and begin the laborious task of transporting the very expensive cameras and lighting equipment all the way back up to the surface, via shafts, ladderways and open stope workings.
Series One, Episode One of My Cornwall with Fern Britton is available on Channel 5 and streaming services. The mining footage starts around 15.47, it makes for mesmerising viewing, enjoy!