Cornish Metals Inc said that water levels are falling quicker than expected during the dewatering of South Crofty tin mine.
UNDERGROUND WORKINGS
Operations began in early November with up to 25,000m3 per day of water pumped directly from the mine to the water treatment plant before discharge into the Red River.
The Canadian company said that the treated water was having a “positive effect on the water quality of the river downstream of the discharge point”.
On 5 December, water levels within the New Cook’s Kitchen (NCK) shaft and underground workings reached approximately 155 metres below the surface.
As the water level falls the rate of drop is expected to decline, revealing more underground workings at the deeper levels of the mine.
Cornish Metals maintains guidance of 18 months, from start to finish of dewatering South Crofty.
Chief executive and director Richard Williams added: “The start of dewatering of South Crofty mine was an important milestone for the company and it is pleasing to see the water level in the NCK shaft dropping faster than expected over the last month.”