The South Crofty mine, located near the Cornish village of Pool, is on the verge of potential revival, thanks to a significant interest from the United States government in securing tin supplies. Following its closure in 1998, the mine has been the subject of numerous attempts to reopen, and now, with a prospective investment of $225 million (£166 million), it could resume operations, creating approximately 300 new jobs in the region.
A Historic Site with Modern Implications
The South Crofty mine has a rich history, dating back to the 1600s, but it has remained inactive for nearly three decades. Cornish Metals, the mine’s current owner, announced that it has received a letter of interest from the US’s official export credit agency regarding funding for the site’s development. This investment hinges on the mine’s ability to supply tin, a mineral classified as critical by the US due to its essential role in various industries.
Tin is integral to the manufacturing of solder, which is used in most electronic devices, electric vehicles, and solar panels. The recent surge in tin prices, which skyrocketed from $16,000 per tonne in 2016 to over $50,000 at the start of the year, reflects its growing significance in technology, especially for connecting semiconductor chips to circuit boards amidst the booming demand for data centres.
Addressing Supply Chain Concerns
Currently, the global tin supply is heavily reliant on sources from China, Myanmar, and Indonesia, where supply chain vulnerabilities and ethical concerns, including child labour, have raised alarms. Don Turvey, the CEO of Cornish Metals, emphasised that the interest from the US underscores both the strategic importance of the South Crofty site and its potential to become the first new tin producer in the Western world.
The UK government has also shown its support, having injected £28.6 million into the mine in 2025 to bolster reopening efforts. Last summer, Chancellor Rachel Reeves projected that the mine could create up to 1,300 jobs in the broader region, highlighting its potential impact on local economic revitalisation.
A Broader Strategy on Critical Minerals
The renewed interest in the South Crofty mine aligns with a larger US initiative to secure critical minerals, which was underscored at a recent summit attended by 50 countries. This summit, led by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, focused on reducing dependence on China for over 25 essential elements, both in raw and processed forms. The US and EU committed to a memorandum of understanding within the next month to enhance cooperation in this domain, alongside discussions with Japan to bolster supply chains.
Senior research fellow Patrick Schröder from Chatham House noted that the summit’s rhetoric emphasised a clear intention from the US to secure supplies for AI development, framing the initiative in terms of “America first.” This focus suggests a strategic pivot towards securing domestic and allied sources of critical minerals, with little mention of renewable energy.
Why it Matters
The potential reopening of the South Crofty mine represents not just an opportunity for economic growth in Cornwall but also a strategic move in the global supply chain for critical minerals. As nations grapple with the challenges of sourcing essential materials ethically and sustainably, the mine could play a pivotal role in reshaping the landscape of tin production. With rising demand driven by technology and renewable energy sectors, ensuring a stable and responsible supply chain is imperative for both economic and environmental sustainability.
