A brief history of Wheal Jane Laboratory

The history behind Wheal Jane mine

The Wheal Jane Laboratory has a long history as part of the Wheal Jane mine, which operated from the late 1960s. In 1991 it closed due to adverse economic factors.

Throughout this period, the Wheal Jane Laboratory formed part of the technical support functions of the business. This included monitoring the concentration process at Wheal Jane and providing analytical services to other RTZ (the owners at the time) operations in Cornwall.

Creating a state-of-the-art facility

The polymetallic processing plant at Wheal Jane was the subject of huge investment in the 1980s. As a result, this enabled the creation of a state-of-the-art facility which was successfully recovering tin, copper and zinc. The plant also processed ore mined at the other remaining Cornish mine, South Crofty.

Continuing Wheal Jane Laboratory

After the closure of South Crofty in 1998, the plant at Wheal Jane fell redundant. A management buyout ensured the laboratory was retained, re-equipped and that it continued to operate on a commercial basis. The laboratory is now an integral part of the Wheal Jane Group.

Mining and mineral clients worldwide

Wheal Jane Laboratory offers analysis of water and soils locally, and serves mining and minerals clients worldwide. Those companies who are based at Wheal Jane utilise the facility’s services.

Wheal Jane Laboratory is a UKAS accredited testing laboratory. Environmental and management control systems meet as a minimum ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 17025 requirements.