Cornwall. "Tinstone (or "black tin" as the Cornish miners call it) is just plain tin ore when it comes up from the mines." C/U of a metal container of tin ore being lifted from interior of a mine. Low angle shot of ore rolling down a corrugated surface. "The first crushing." C/U of ore being shovelled into a crushing machine. M/S of man opening a hatch and ore pouring out into a metal container.
"- and then a long journey to the stamping and washing mill." M/S of men and young boys walking towards camera pushing along containers of ore. They are attached to some kind of overhead pulley system. The containers are given a push and a pulley system transports them up and away from the camera. L/S of the cable system - various shots of the ore being transported. As the containers turn a corner at the end of their journey, the workers tip them over using their bodies to force the heavy containers. C/U of ore being moved with a shovel. "Here it is stamped into a fine powder. A machine which is practically a large mechanically worked pestle and mortar does it." M/S of the grinding machine in operation.
"Finally a series of washing operations separate all the extraneous matter (sand, etc.)" High angle of the machines used to wash the tin - various shots. "and leaves the pure tinstone - ready for smelting." C/U of the tin being shovelled. C/U of man's hands as he picks up the tin and lets the particles run through his fingers.
Was an item in Eve's Film Review issue number 643.
Safety print exists.
FILM ID:982.13
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