Western United Mines has made 16 of its 60 staff redundant at the South Crofty project in Cornwall, UK, following delays in resolving land access issues with the local authorities. In a statement reported by the BBC, WUM said : "The move follows a need to significantly reduce operating costs whilst awaiting the outcome of planning decisions and other matters concerning the relocation of the mine site. Our confidence in the resource potential of South Crofty remains undiminished and we look forward to progressing our plans for the re-establishment of production at the mine."
Local newspaper the West Briton reported that last August WUM submitted two planning applications for the site, one for the relocation of surface buildings and the second for an extension to the mining permissions that will more than double its underground operating area. The company and Cornwall County Council had planned to swap land which would allow the continuation of a vital link road in the area and free land for the construction of the new surface buildings for the mine. It had been hoped that the planning applications would be determined by last autumn, with preparatory work going ahead early this year and mining due to start in 2011. However, the negotiations are still ongoing. South Crofty closed in March 1998, having produced 2,250 tonnes of tin-in-concentrate in its last full year of operation.
