The last deep tin mine ever built in the world has been regenerated as a Renewable Energy Business Park, creating a community of sustainable businesses, which have already generated new jobs and prosperity for Cornwall.

On the 30th May, Mount Wellington Mine, once known to locals as 'Magpie Mine' due to the sparkly pyrite extracted from the site, is to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the mine's acquisition by Richard Freeborn of Mount Wellington Mine Ltd, and its official opening as the first renewable energy business park in the UK.

"The event on the 30th May will celebrate a piece of Cornish history whilst providing a salute to our mining heritage, and glimpse into our renewable future," said Richard. "The mine's fascinating and chequered history spans over 100 years, and it is our ambition to ensure that Mount Wellington is no longer just a landmark of our glorious industry mining heritage, but also develops our sustainable future; a location in which new renewable technologies will grow on the foundations of the old industries.

"In early 2007, Mount Wellington Mine was the first site in the UK to be granted planning consent - by Carrick District Council, and supported by Cornwall County Council - specifically for the use of renewable energy businesses. Although there are existing energy parks, where energy is generated, and some of these now have some renewable energy, they are not renewable energy business parks which have the specific aim of incubating and supporting businesses which is reflected in their planning status."

Despite the demolition of the iconic headframe tower some years ago, the headgear wheels that operated Mount Wellington's main shaft have since been recovered and restored to their former glory. The main attraction on the 30th May will be the symbolic lowering ceremony of the headgear wheels on the front lawn to mark the entrance to the renewable energy park.


What remains of the Mount Wellington Mine operation continues to be sympathetically converted into offices, factory units and research workshops for local sustainable businesses, who will be exhibiting on the 30thMay. Richard continues: "We have a strong and diverse community of renewable business on site already. Our first and longest tenant, Kensa Engineering, is the sole UK manufacturer of ground source heat pumps, which are designed, produced, tested and shipped from Mount Wellington. Indeed, Kensa has now been at Mount Wellington Mine for over five years, which is actually longer than the original mine traded for in either the 1930's or the 1970's.

"We have since attracted the UK's only employee-owned installer of solar PV systems, R-ECO, and our newest tenant, Geoquip Marine, design, build, supply and operate equipment and vessels for renewable energy research and installations at sea such as offshore wind turbines. We are very proud to have acted as an incubator for other renewable energy businesses, including the innovative Kraft Maus, who specialise in portable renewable energy systems that can operate in extreme locations around the world, including Afghanistan."

Mount Wellington Mine is also the final resting place for what was the world's largest carbon fibre structure - one of the hulls of the 120 foot long sailing yacht Team Philips, an ocean racing catamaran that was built in the Westcountry to allow Pete Goss and his crew to compete in The Race, a no-holds barred drag race around the world. "Pete's approach to his Team Philips project resonates with the aspirations of Mount Wellington Mine," said Richard "and it had my name on one of the hulls, so I had always had an affinity with her; I'm so pleased that we have found a new use for the structure". Team Philips will have a new mast fitted on which a cutting edge wind turbine will be mounted. Wind Lens, the latest technology from Japan in harnessing wind energy, offers greater efficiencies over traditional wind turbines. The Wind Lens' sophisticated computer controls will be located inside Team Philips. "At 50 feet tall, the new mast will be a tad shorter than the original 135 foot wing mast; because the Wind Lens is quite small at only 3m across we don't need a larger mast," explained Richard "This is a good marriage of two cutting-edge technologies."

"I love what Richard and his team have achieved so far at Mount Wellington - it's just great to see so much activity in the Cornish renewable energy industry. I wish them fair winds as they build national businesses from their Cornish base," praised Pete Goss MBE.

Tim Smit KBE of the Eden Project , Sarah Newton MP and Council Leader Alec Robertson will attend the event on the 30th in addition to local neighbours, business people and ex-miners and workers from local Cornish mines.

For the first time, the entire management teams will be assembled from all four of Cornwall's modern tin mines - Geevor, South Crofty, Wheal Jane and Mount Wellington Mine. For many of the miners, this will be the first time they will have got together in over 20 years.