Wheal Betsy mine was reputedly started in 1740, although may have started earlier than this date. The principle lode runs north-south and was developed for three quarters of a mile, yielding lead, zinc and silver.
After a period of idleness, the mine was restarted in 1806 and from 1816 (or perhaps earlier) was worked in conjunction with Wheal Friendship. The mine was worked successfully for many years, although during the late 1820s, the price of lead fell significantly and the mine worked at a loss during this period. The price of lead recovered by the mid 1830s and in 1837 the connection with Wheal Friendship was ended, Wheal Betsy being formed as a separate company.
In 1863, a new company was formed in Glasgow under the name of Prince Arthur Consuls, and a large amount of investment into the mine took place, although the outlay far exceeded the mine’s returns during the following years.
In 1869 the mine was sold to another company, when it reverted to being called Wheal Betsy and working continued at a reduced scale until 1877 when mining here ended. (1)
(1) Hamilton Jenkin, Dr. A. K., 2005, Mines of Devon, 87-9 (Monograph). SDV282410.