Proactive Investors - Cornish Metals Inc. (LON:CUSN) told investors it has now commissioned and officially opened the water treatment plant at the Crofty mine, starting the mine dewatering process.
This is a precursor to the restart of future development and mining operations. The mine dewatering will altogether take eighteen months to complete.
It is expected that the plant will handle up to 25,000 square metres of water, with the treated output (which meets Environment Agency standards) being discharged into the Red river from the week commencing 30 October.
"The start of dewatering of the South Crofty mine is an important milestone for the continued advancement of the project towards an investment decision,” said chief executive Richard Williams.
“Teams from Cornish Metals, our suppliers and dedicated local contractors have worked extremely hard over the last year to get to this point.
“Planning and preparation are underway for the re-accessing of the mine, which will take place in parallel with mine dewatering."
The company noted that the project will have a positive impact on water quality in the Red river, because presently the river receives untreated water from the mine as a legacy of past mining operations.
The raw water is being pumped from a depth of 360 metres into the mine’s New Cook's Kitchen shaft.
Water flows in the process will turn a hydro turbine which is designed to supply power into the treatment plant. Meanwhile, the company noted that further renewable heat opportunities are being actively explored to make use of the treated water temperature, which is a steady 25oC all year round and has the potential to heat at least 800 homes in the local area.