A proposal to have the ruins at Copper Mine Point declared a UK heritage site for special funding was rejected by the UK Government. Photo: Virgin-Islands-On-Line's Coconut Telegraph

This was disclosed by Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith at a press conference this morning November 29, 2011 in the Office of the Premier’s Conference Room where he reported on his recent visit to the UK.

“We were disappointed that this did not happen."

Giving a background on the site, the Premier said the Copper Mine Point on Virgin Gorda is representative of a 19th century Cornish copper mine of commercial and industrial significance. The site is unique in the Virgin Islands for its social history.

The Copper Mine National Park, he said, is actively managed by the National Parks (NDT) Trust and its staff of terrestrial wardens, who are based on Virgin Gorda.

“However, the ruins are at risk from weathering due to its exposed location at Copper Mine Point and destabilisation, which has been exacerbated by recent hurricanes. Stabilisation work on the mine structure of the engine house and the chimney stack took place in 1998 by a Cornish stone mason and also 2005, facilitated by a local contractor. The cost of stabilising the chimney stack ruins were jointly met by the National Parks Trust and the Copper Mine Committee through fundraisers held over the last 12 years.”

The Premier noted, however, that Government will still be seeking to train persons to restore heritage sites including that Copper Mine at Copper Mine Point.

“Local stone masons will be trained in stabilization and restoration of heritage sites. This opportunity to learn a new skill will enable the creation of local capacity to conduct other historic restoration and stabilisation projects at other sites throughout the British Virgin Islands; and guided tours for students and visitors will be offered, as part of the core services. This is an important site toward our heritage and tourism product. We would like to continue to pursue this project in context of other projects such as the Sugar Works museum which was completed a few years ago.”

The UK Company Virgin Copper, also known as the Virgin Gorda Mining Company operated the mine between 1835 and 1862. The first mine shaft at the copper mine on Virgin Gorda was sunk in 1838, but work ceased in 1842 due to financial reasons.

Premier Smith did say, however, that the delegation was encouraged that the UK Government presented other areas where the funding could be assessed.