Cornwall's forgotten radioactive past: Uranium mines, Marie Curie and a radium spa in St Ives
By
HannahCL | Posted: May 14, 2017
When you mention mining in Cornwall, the first thing people think of is tin, but there is one other mining history that has been all but forgotten about.
Around 100 years ago, across the county, tons of radioactive uranium was being mined.
The rare metal discovered in pitchblende that was being dug from tin and iron mines, was even used by Marie Curie her world-changing discovery of radium – more on that below.
Once radium had been discovered the chemical element was also mined in Cornwall, and there were even plans to turn St Ives into a radium spa town.
The incredible forgotten history of Cornwall's radioactive past was brought to Cornwall Live's attention by mine explorers, cavers and climbers group the Carbis Bay Crew.
The team recently
explored one of the mines that was once used to extract uranium and filmed their underground experiences.
Here we tell you everything you need to know about our forgotten mining past.
How Cornwall helped Marie Curie discover radium:
Marie Curie's discovery of radium is arguably one of the most important findings in history, but did you know that miners in Cornwall actually played a part in the discovery?
According to a report by Cornwall Council, the pitchblende from which Marie Curie first isolated radium was produced right here in Cornwall.
The report said that the pitchblende Marie Curie used to make the discovery was dug from Trenwith Mine, just above St Ives.
Another Cornish mine South Terras also produced the radium that was used in Marie Curie's later research.
The discovery was made in 1898.
Sadly, unknown at the time, the Curie's research was incredibly dangerous, and both husband and wife reported feeling sick and physically exhausted, symptoms we now know to be early signs of radiation sickness.
It is reported that Madame Curie died in 1934 from leukaemia which was caused by her continued exposure to radiation from her research.
What was Cornwall's uranium used for?
Today uranium has two main uses; as fuel for nuclear reactors to help produce electricity and to make nuclear weapons. In fact reportedly, around half of all the uranium mined today is used in weapons.
But at the time uranium was being mined in Cornwall, it was most often used as a tint for glassware and ceramics, to turn it a bright green colour.
How much uranium was produced in Cornwall?
While Cornwall did not output anywhere near the amount of uranium as it's main mining export, tin, there was a substantial amount mined here.
In fact, it is reported that Cornwall mined more than 2,000 tons of uranium.
When was uranium discovered in Cornwall?
Around 100 years ago, uranium was being mined across the county.
The first place that uranium was mine was at South Terras, formerly known as Union Mine.
The mine was opened in 1872 by the South Terras Tin Mining Company, and was originally used to extract iron. Despite the company name, very little tin was ever mined there.
In 1889 the mine was bought by Uranium Mines Limited, who first announced the discovery of uranium at South Terras.
According to the Royal Institution of Cornwall, four years before the announcement it was reported that a lode was cut from the mine that contained a strange bright green metal.
The unusual material was thought to be a form of low grade copper ore and was mostly discarded, but on analysis, it was found to be rich in uranium.
Reportedly the green coloured stone was nicknamed Green Jim by the locals at the time.
The St Ives radium spa:
The idea of a radium spa might seem a little strange, but at the time it was believed that the newly discovered chemical element had positive health benefits.
According to New Scientist, it was once suggested that St Ives could be turned into a radium spa town, using the water from the springs under the radioactive Trenwith Mine.
Although the idea never came together, the water from the mine was reported to be the main water supply for the town for many years.
Does Cornwall still have uranium?
The short answer is yes.
Are the mines still radioactive?
Mine explorers Carbis Bay Crew recently explored both Wheal Edward and South Terras mines, taking with them Geiger counters to record the radioactivity levels.
In both mines the levels were very high, the team said that Geiger counter was "going berserk" at one point as they ventured lower underground.
The team exploring said that they had taken their exposure levels into account for the radiation they receive over the year and take safety very seriously.
Although short exposure at this level would be unlikely to cause any health problems, the team said that people should not venture into the mines themselves.
The team also had permission from land owners before entering the disused mines.
http://www.cornwalllive.com/8203-co...a-in-st-ives/story-30329261-detail/story.html
The Carbis Bay Crew's explorations were already posted here:
http://forum.forteantimes.com/index.php?threads/underground.1804/page-38#post-1671447