A company investigating the possibility of recovering tin from the seabed off the Cornish coast, says it has made "good progress in its initial research" over the past few weeks.

The specialist survey vessel, MV Flatholm, undertook seabed survey work for the company during February, and took around 40 sand core samples from various locations along the coast between St Ives and Perranporth. These samples are now being studied by research scientists including ecologists, geologists and metallurgists at various laboratories in Cornwall.

The company has also continued to meet and discuss with local groups across Cornwall, including fishermen’s representatives, and harbour masters. 

Chief executive of Marine Minerals, Mike Proudfoot said: “We’ve made good progress in the last month, and received a lot of support and constructive comments. The studies will continue for several months yet, but the results of our initial research are encouraging."

He added they recognised that "environmental and social concerns" needed to be addressed.

Concersn have been raised by commercial fishermen and water users.

The next stage in the project will be the formal start of the companies Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study, which will investigate, in detail, any potential environmental or social issues that the project could affect.

Work on the EIA will commence once agreement has been reached on its scope with the government’s Marine Management Organisation.

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