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Crofty Consultancy and The Wheal Jane Group Mundic Tests  Mine Search

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It is now more than a decade since South Crofty, the last Cornish tin mine, ceased production. For those of us who worked most of our lives in the industry it was a sad time. However, despite the demise of actual mining in Cornwall, the company that operated at South Crofty has continued to work successfully in fields directly related to mining. Those of us who work for Crofty Consultancy feel especially close to the historical side of Cornish mining, as we involve ourselves daily in researching information on those old mines and seek information to establish the safety or otherwise of land and property in Cornwall and Devon.

Our research team occupies a unique place in our particular field of endeavour, because we possess an unrivalled knowledge and understanding of Cornish metal mines. No amount of external study and enquiry can equip one for the work of carrying out conveyancing mine searches, as can actual experience of mining in the Duchy. The many idiosyncrasies of metal lodes, the strange and often unpredictable vagaries of methods of ore extraction and the variety of types of mineral working practiced over the centuries in the south-west remain a puzzle for those without ‘hands on’ experience in the industry. Our experienced staff are all trained by Camborne School of Mines, hold relevant degrees and post-graduate qualifications, and can draw on centuries of experience derived from the mining industry.

For these reasons we believe that Crofty Consultancy offers a service that is unrivalled in the field of mining consultancies. Added to this, the possession of the largest and most comprehensive collection of mining reports, plans, sections and other relevant data, gives Crofty Consultancy a distinct advantage over other relative new-comers to the business. Our archive has been assembled over a period of 160 years. As other Cornish mining companies closed, their individual collections were brought to the mine. In 1978 the mine acquired the large and valuable Tehidy Mineral Collection, and since then we have been given archives owned by many individuals, including that of the late John Brock OBE.

We offer a comprehensive range of mining related services. The Consultancy carries out standard conveyancing mine searches; reports on major schemes for national utilities and district and county councils; conducts site investigations on all size schemes from single bungalows to major industrial developments; analysis of soil and water samples, checking for contamination of all types; carries out mundic testing  and advises on and supervises remedial work related to all of the above.

In association with the other surviving divisions of South Crofty Mine, under the umbrella of the Wheal Jane Group of Companies, we continue to fly the flag for our ancient industry and are determined to continue to do so. We attempt at all times to maintain the high standards set by generations of Cornish metal miners, and invite the comments of our clients in attempting to further improve our services.

LATEST NEWS

February 2nd 2010
We do like a bit of dig - even in the rain.  Our crew found this one first hit (in the rain), cunningly disguised as (wet) featureless overgrown ground.  Did we mention the rain?[...]
January 18th 2010
Snow is not a common atmospheric hazard in our region, however it didn't stop our intrepid surveyors and engineers from completing site works.  On a couple of occasions getting to site was no problem, getting back to the office was the problem.  So we didn't draw straws, we just sent whoever had the 4 x 4. Now that the[...]
December 16th 2009
...ha Bledhen Nowyth Da!*  And a big thank you to all of our clients, small and large.  We didn't post a typical festive scene, as our window sample rig is almost Robin - red, and was our early christmas present to ourselves...  OK, it's not very festive and it wasn't snowing when we took this[...]
December 1st 2009
Consultancy have recently completed a comprehensive drilling investigation within the heart of the CPR regeneration site.  With the drill crews from our sister company, Carnon Contracting using our T44 and T46 rigs, a precisely designed pattern of boreholes was set out using Trimble R8 survey equipment.  The full pattern was drilled and logged within a week, achieving over[...]
November 9th 2009
Consultancy have completed a seaside geoenvironmental and geotechnical investigation of a clifftop site at Carbis Bay on behalf of a local engineering consultancy. The works required construction of a secure platform and the plant - window sample rig and minidigger - to be lifted into and out of the site.  The site works were successfully completed and the[...]
October 16th 2009
In response to our increasing levels of site investigation work, we have just taken delivery of an Archway Competitor Rig - ideally suited to shallow site investigations.  The rig operates as a soil sampling tool to a maximum depth of 10 metres, and will also allow us to conduct Standard Penetration Tests (SPT and SPT(C)) and Dynamic Probing (DP), to[...]
October 13th 2009
Congratulations to Dale Foster, our senior mining geologist who has just achieved a third place in the Spring-gun class at the 2009 World Field Target Championships, held between the 25th and the 27th September at Mutango Lodge, to the north of Pretoria, Gauteng Province in South Africa. Dale, who has competed in[...]
October 2nd 2009
Consultancy is benefiting from the skills and knowledge of our very own Jedi master, Allen Buckley, who has returned to assist with our increasing volume of mine searches and help provide cover during Dale's tournament adventures.  Renowned mining historian, author and mining engineer, Allen has recently published a volume on Tudor mining in West Cornwall.  Sonia will[...]
September 16th 2009
Consultancy is now able to undertake a preliminary contamination screening exercise as part of Phase 1 contamination survey walkovers.  Research into the history and geology of a site enables us to progammme a relevant group of contaminant profiles into the unit ahead of the visit.   Costs for the Phase 1 reports are unaffected, and an overview of[...]
September 16th 2009
Consultancy is currently undertaking a full-service site investigation in the heart of the Clay Country on behalf of a major structural engineering consultancy. The full contamination risk assessment and Phase 2 works are being carried out with testing and analysis for foundation and pavement design, enabling significant cost savings and reductions in lead times, helped in part by[...]
June 16th 2009
One of the advantages of a slowdown is the opportunity to review, streamline and improve.  Over the last year the property market and the lending climate have undergone substantial changes.  Scarcity of funds and increased diligence by lenders have squeezed financial timescales and increased the need for timely delivery of accurate, concise reports.  One of the[...]