Copper Mines National Park
easy- viewpoint
About this spot
After the islands came under British control, the Copper Mine was constructed in 1837. It’s first shaft was sunk in 1838. In two separate periods over the next 24 years, 36 Cornish miners extracted Ore from this site with the aid of some 140 British Virgin Islands workmen. The Ore which was extracted was sent by road to Spanish Town on Virgin Gorda, along Coppermine Road which was originally built by the miners. Then by ship to Wales. The returning ships would carry provisions, wood for construction, wages for the workers, coal with which to power their steam engine. The mine was abandoned in 1862 & was never reopened, parts of the original stack, the engine house, the main building are all that remain. Several of the Cornish miners started families with native women & descendants still live in the Virgin Islands today. No plans are known to exist, but records in 1869 say they were at a depth of 40 fathoms, which is around 240 feet & that the levels extended under the sea.
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