Cornwall’s Tin Mine Set for Revival with $225M US Investment to Fuel AI Boom

In a striking fusion of 17th-century mining heritage and 21st-century tech demand, Cornwall’s historic South Crofty tin mine is poised for a dramatic comeback. After sitting dormant for nearly 30 years, the site near Pool village could once again rumble with activity thanks to a potential $225 million (£166 million) investment from the United States—an injection that promises to create 300 direct jobs and revitalize the local economy.

The South Crofty mine, with roots stretching back to the 1600s, shuttered in 1998 after centuries of operation. Since then, multiple attempts to reopen it have faltered. But now, Cornish Metals, the mine’s current owner, has announced a letter of funding interest from the U.S. Export-Import Bank, signaling serious intent to restart production. Crucially, the investment hinges on the mine supplying tin to the U.S., where the metal is classified as a “critical mineral” essential to national security and technological advancement.

Tin may seem an unlikely star in the digital age, but its role is indispensable. It’s the primary material for soldering, forming the connective tissue inside virtually every electronic device—from smartphones and laptops to electric vehicles and solar panels. In the AI revolution, tin’s importance has skyrocketed: it’s vital for attaching semiconductor chips to circuit boards, and its price has surged from $16,000 per tonne in 2016 to over $50,000 earlier this year, driven by explosive demand for datacenters powering artificial intelligence.

Today, about two-thirds of the world’s tin comes from China, Myanmar, and Indonesia, regions plagued by fragile supply chains and, in some cases, the use of child labor. This dependency has made Western nations eager to secure alternative, ethically sourced supplies—making Cornwall’s tin a strategic asset.

Don Turvey, CEO of Cornish Metals, hailed the U.S. interest as “a testament to the quality and strategic importance of South Crofty and its potential to become the first new tin producer in the western world.” The market responded enthusiastically, with Cornish Metals’ shares jumping nearly 7% on the news.

This isn’t Cornwall’s first taste of international backing. In 2025, the UK government invested £28.6 million to support the mine’s reopening, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves estimating it could support 1,300 jobs across the wider region.

The South Crofty revival is part of a broader geopolitical push. At a recent U.S.-led critical minerals summit—attended by 50 countries—the Trump administration unveiled a series of agreements aimed at loosening China’s dominance over more than 25 key elements, both in raw and processed forms. The EU and U.S. committed to a memorandum of understanding within 30 days, and collaborations with Japan are also in the works to diversify supply chains.

Patrick Schröder, a senior research fellow at Chatham House’s Environment and Society Centre, noted that speeches by U.S. officials made it clear the summit’s driving interest was securing supplies for AI development. “Although they didn’t say it explicitly, it is still America first,” Schröder observed. “It was framed as ‘America needs your help.’ There was no mention of renewables.”

As the AI boom accelerates, the race for critical minerals is intensifying—and Cornwall’s tin, once the lifeblood of the Industrial Revolution, may now power the digital one.

Tags: Cornwall tin mine, South Crofty revival, US investment in UK mining, critical minerals, AI industry demand, tin supply chain, Cornwall jobs, US-UK trade, ethical sourcing, semiconductor materials, green technology metals, global tech supply chains, Cornwall economic boost, historic mining comeback, Trump administration mining policy

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