Cornish Metals has appointed former Petra Diamonds executive Juan Kemp to lead the South Crofty tin project in Cornwall as development moves from permitting and dewatering toward construction, operational preparation and workforce development. Kemp became managing director of South Crofty. His responsibilities cover mining, processing, safety and business performance. He will be based at the project and report to Cornish Metals chief executive Don Turvey.
The appointment comes as South Crofty advances surface construction, underground development and employee training. Kemp brings more than 30 years of mining experience, including senior positions at AngloGold, De Beers and Petra Diamonds.
Kemp brings underground and processing experience
During his time at Petra Diamonds, Kemp was responsible for mine operations and capital projects, including a R6 billion underground block-cave expansion, valued at about £275 million, and construction of a R2 billion processing plant, equivalent to approximately £90 million.
He served as Petra’s joint chief executive before joining South Crofty. His appointment adds operational leadership as the Cornish project progresses toward construction and eventual commissioning, with responsibilities spanning both the mining and processing sides of the planned operation.
South Crofty retains historic underground infrastructure
South Crofty is a historic underground tin mine that ceased production in 1998 after centuries of mining. The site retains existing shafts and underground infrastructure. The project has permits covering mining, construction of a processing facility and associated site development. Its mining permission remains valid until 2071.
Under the current development plan, South Crofty is expected to produce approximately 4,700 tonnes of tin in concentrate per year during its first five years of full production. The plan provides for an initial 14-year mine life, while Cornish Metals has positioned the operation as a potential lowest-quartile-cost tin producer.
£198 million development plan targets 2028 production
South Crofty is expected to require approximately £198 million to reach production, with output currently targeted for 2028. The UK’s National Wealth Fund has previously invested around £28.6 million in the project. Meanwhile, the US Export-Import Bank has expressed interest in providing up to $225 million, equivalent to approximately €191 million, in financing linked to the supply of tin concentrate to the United States. The potential financing support improves the project’s funding position while highlighting limitations in domestic tin processing capacity. Neither Britain nor the wider European market has sufficient primary tin-smelting capacity, meaning concentrate produced at South Crofty could potentially require processing outside the region.
Market focus remains on financing and construction
Cornish Metals shares were trading at around 99 pence, representing an increase of approximately 37% over 12 months. The appointment generated a limited immediate market response, with investor attention focused on the completion of the financing package, construction progress and confirmation of the production schedule. Kemp’s arrival adds operational mining experience ahead of commissioning as South Crofty progresses toward construction and production.
