Tavistock: grid reference SX508702

Notable minerals: Cassiterite, Chalcopyrite, Chalybite, Fluor & Francolite.

The main copper mine of the Tavistock area, Wheal Franco worked a large sett along the southern bank of the Walkham River. Part of the mine has been known as Wheal Robert or Wheal Sir Masseh. Another older section of the mine, known as Old Wheal Franco, lay on the western side of the Tavistock to Plymouth Road. Wheal Franco worked Main Lode from Engine Shaft, Spry's Shaft, Orchard's Shaft and Vosper's Shaft.

Production records report that as Wheal Robert between 1825 and 1826 - 110 tons of 10% copper ore was produced and as Wheal Franco between 1826 and 1862 - 10,333 tons of copper ore were raised. Another source states that between 1852 and 1861 - 3,857 tons of 4.5% copper ore was raised along with a further 191 tons of 4.5% copper ore between 1870 and 1873.

The 1856 Post Office Directory for Cornwall gives a little more information stating that: 'Wheal Robert Mine is in the township and parish of Sampford Spiney, union and hundred of Tavistock, Devon, within the bounds of the manor or Lordship of R. P. Collier, Esq., M.P., and mining district of Tavistock. It is situated 4 miles from the town of Tavistock. The nearest shipping place for ores and machinery is at Tavistock wharf, 4 miles from the mine, and the nearest railway station at Plymouth, 10 miles from the mine. The mine is held under a lease for 21 years, from 1852, at a royalty of 1-18th, granted by R. P. Collier, Esq., M.P., of Grimstone house, Horrabridge. The country is killas, and the dip north. The nearest granite is at Walkhampton, half a mile distant. The known lodes on the sett are two copper. There is only one known crosscourse, which consists of flucan, spar, and elvan course. There have been two shafts; one sunk 60 fathoms from surface. The Engine Shaft is sunk 30 fathoms. The 30-fathom level is driven about 20 fathoms west. The mine is worked and drained by a water-wheel 20 feet by 10 feet. The minerals found in this sett include copper. This mine was first opened about 25 years since, and was worked by Capt. John Paull and others, under the name of Wheal Robert; it was afterwards worked by a London company under the same name. This mine is now worked for copper. The company is on the costbook system, and consists of 4,000 shares. The Purser is W. B. Harvey, of Tavistock; the Captain is William Neile'.