Initial results from test drilling ‘exceeded expectations’, says the team exploring the possibility of bringing tin and tungsten mining back to South East Cornwall.

Results from ten drill sites at the Redmoor site near Kelly Bray, outside Callington, have been ‘encouraging’, says Cornwall Resources Ltd.

And more confidence has come from a review of 1980s test drilling carried out by South West Minerals which identified 31 ‘high-grade intercepts’

CRL’s Jeff Harrison has been talking to local people about the results at drop-in sessions in Callington this week.

In a statement on its website, New Age Explorations, one of the partners in CRL, said: ‘ Phase 2 exploration is now re-focused on further definition of the high-grade zones identified … as these have greater potential for a more economically attractive underground mining target.’

In the initial results, ‘the thicknesses and grades exceeded the expectations of New Age’s directors’, said the statement.

Gary Fietz, managing director for New Age, said: ‘The initial 10 holes drilled at Redmoor this year include a number of encouraging intercepts with excellent thicknesses and grades.’

More results from up to 21 test drill sites are expected during the December quarter, with a fuller update in the Spring of next year.

Mining operated through most of the 19th century in the Redmoor area, last worked in 1930.

The area contains some of the richest tin resources in the world, CRL director Peter Wale has said.

If the project leads to an underground mine, Mr Wale has said it could create several hundred jobs and bring significant investment into the area.

CRL appointed mining expert Mr Harrison, who lives in Saltash, to liaise with local people and a series of public meetings and consultations has taken place since the idea was first mooted.