South Crofty miners receive notice of redundancies

South Crofty was the last working tin mine in Europe

Workers at a mine in Cornwall have been given notice that they could face possible redundancy in 2011.

South Crofty confirmed that 16 people were at risk of being made redundant out of a workforce of 60.

Western United Mines which owns the site said it was consulting on possible redundancies. A decision is expected in January.

The company said it was unable to make an official statement because of "legal reasons".

After closing in 1998 the mine became operational once more in April 2004 when tunnelling started in preparation for the return of mineral extraction.

Mining of tin, copper and zinc is due to start in 2011.