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Mines and Miners of Cornwall and Devon: The Tin and Copper Industries
Tin mining has existed in Cornwall and parts of Devon from before the Romans arrived in Britain, this volume which is Anthony Burtons one hundredth book, marks a milestone in the authors writing career.
The book takes the story of Tin Mining from its earliest period through to the present day, looking at how the industry developed from basic primitive pick and shovel operation, to the later use of explosives and steam to extract the valuable ore.
The book also looks at the politics, economics and technology available at different periods of the history of the tin mining industry.
The volume has many new illustrations and has been thoroughly researched, to produce a new insight into this interesting old industry.
The book takes the story of Tin Mining from its earliest period through to the present day, looking at how the industry developed from basic primitive pick and shovel operation, to the later use of explosives and steam to extract the valuable ore.
The book also looks at the politics, economics and technology available at different periods of the history of the tin mining industry.
The volume has many new illustrations and has been thoroughly researched, to produce a new insight into this interesting old industry.
176 pages, Paperback
Published November 6, 2020
About the author
Anthony Burton
202 books8 followersBorn in 1934 Anthony Burton is an author and broadcaster who specialises mostly in industrial and transport history since his first book in the area, The Canal Builders, was published in 1972. As well as canals, railways and other forms of transport, his interests also include the countryside and landscape history.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 4, 2024
I read this one for book group and, not only is it not my usual fare, but I found it pretty hard to get through - it’s dry, and the author focused a lot on the technology of mining, which didn’t spark a lot of interest for me. However, I’m giving it two stars because it did inspire some other thoughts:
- I found it interesting that the industry could set and change their own laws, and that they had their own courts and could put people in jail (in their own industry). Similar to the East India company having their own army and taking over states in India - there was a blur of lines or complete abdication of governance from the government towards the private sector, which contributed to extreme inequality in the system. Working in the private sector today it’s hard to imagine, but also testament to how capitalism and democracy have developed together over the centuries, for better, or mostly for worse.
- It made me wonder about happenstance and the development of humans and technology over the ages. How much is chance? What drove us to discover bronze? Was it religion, economy, power, something else? How much has our brain changed now that we don’t go anywhere without a smart phone telling us everything we need to know?
- the roots of the inequalities we have today were built in this system. We see the same dynamics play out today and are somehow always surprised - a system where the owners benefit, workers earn the absolute minimum and cannot survive, but when somewhere else can do it for cheaper, it upsets the market and owners try to cut costs even further, pushing the workers even lower. That race to the bottom!
- at least we are more aware about the dangers and stresses of poor working conditions. The denial from those in power about the reasons for the poor health of the workers seemed laughable to me. Running through were also those typical connections between morality and cleanliness, poverty and “goodness”, which are judgements and prejudices we still have today and which often perpetuate inequalities.
- Finally, I found interesting how there was a certain pride in the Cornish for being able to suffer the inhumane conditions of the industry. Stockholm syndrome? It made me think of marathon runners from Kenya who say that they come from a culture that celebrates pain and suffering and that’s why they can run for so long. It is interesting to think about social and cultural heroism, and the ability of the human body to endure radically hostile environments or experiences.
- I found it interesting that the industry could set and change their own laws, and that they had their own courts and could put people in jail (in their own industry). Similar to the East India company having their own army and taking over states in India - there was a blur of lines or complete abdication of governance from the government towards the private sector, which contributed to extreme inequality in the system. Working in the private sector today it’s hard to imagine, but also testament to how capitalism and democracy have developed together over the centuries, for better, or mostly for worse.
- It made me wonder about happenstance and the development of humans and technology over the ages. How much is chance? What drove us to discover bronze? Was it religion, economy, power, something else? How much has our brain changed now that we don’t go anywhere without a smart phone telling us everything we need to know?
- the roots of the inequalities we have today were built in this system. We see the same dynamics play out today and are somehow always surprised - a system where the owners benefit, workers earn the absolute minimum and cannot survive, but when somewhere else can do it for cheaper, it upsets the market and owners try to cut costs even further, pushing the workers even lower. That race to the bottom!
- at least we are more aware about the dangers and stresses of poor working conditions. The denial from those in power about the reasons for the poor health of the workers seemed laughable to me. Running through were also those typical connections between morality and cleanliness, poverty and “goodness”, which are judgements and prejudices we still have today and which often perpetuate inequalities.
- Finally, I found interesting how there was a certain pride in the Cornish for being able to suffer the inhumane conditions of the industry. Stockholm syndrome? It made me think of marathon runners from Kenya who say that they come from a culture that celebrates pain and suffering and that’s why they can run for so long. It is interesting to think about social and cultural heroism, and the ability of the human body to endure radically hostile environments or experiences.
June 6, 2026
Probably my favourite tin mining book and in my top 3 for Cornwall as a whole. Anthony does a great job with the chapter themes he wishes to analyses alongside both the primary and secondary sources relating to mining life, machinery, techniques and overall conditions.
Great read
Great read
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews