West Chyverton mine
In the second half of the 19th century, West Chyverton mine employed over a thousand people and produced around 45,000 tons of lead ore in the period 1859-86. The ore contained 45 oz. silver to each ton of lead. Refining the silver was profitable at levels above 5oz per ton, but at this level, the silver was worth as much as the lead that it was separated from. The ore also contained high levels of zinc and when lead prices fell in the 1870s, this became the primary product of the mine. Small pieces of the lead ore can still be found on the tips and along the byway.
Mentioned in walks
- Callestick and Ventongimps (5.3 mile walk)
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