Some of these milestones include the installation of a second submersible pump in the New Cooks Kitchen (NCK) shaft. Cornish has also begun commissioning the Variable Speed Drives that will operate the pumps.

Once commissioning is complete, the second stage of the dewatering programme is expected to begin.

Cornish Metals plans to power the pumps through a newly signed contract NPower. The agreement will see NPower supply the South Crofty project with "100% renewably generated power" for 15 months.  

 "These are all significant milestones for the project as we advance South Crofty towards a production decision,' said Richard Williams, chief executive and director at Cornish.

Williams continued: "The team at site has done an excellent job installing the second pump ahead of the estimated timeframe. Also, securing a 100% renewable power contract was important as we demonstrate our commitment to the reduction of greenhouse gases from the project as much as possible."

Cornish acquired the UK-based past-producing project in 2016. The company aims to support the expansion of the domestic and global tin supply chain.

"Tin is a critical mineral as defined by the UK, USA, and Canadian governments, with approximately 75% of the tin mined today coming from China, Myanmar and Indonesia," the statement read. "There is no primary tin production in Europe or North America."