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Cornwall's mining past recognised for its contribution to Europe's industrial heritage
The region produced two-thirds of the world's supply of copper
Cornwall's mining world heritage site has been named as one of the most important historical industrial regions in Europe.
The European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH) has recognised Cornish mining as one of its 'regional routes'.
The Duchy's mining past, earned the UNESCO (United Nationals Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation) status in 2006 and was recently included in CNN's pick of '27 places to see before you die'.
Deborah Boden, world heritage site co-ordinator, said: "The Cornwall and West Devon landscape has proven its major global significance hence our UNESCO designation and recent CNN recognition.
"The European Route of Industrial Heritage status is somewhat of a hat-trick and reflects all the hard work put in by the team to ensure our invaluable landscape gains the right kind of respect and recognition it deserves."
The ten separate areas of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site show how the rapid growth of copper and tin mining in the 18th and early 19th centuries shaped and transformed the local landscape.
Its mines, iconic engine houses, foundries, new towns, lively ports and harbours, and their ancillary industries, enabled the region to produce two-thirds of the world's supply of copper.
It also managed to establish itself as the heartland from which mining technology rapidly spread globally.
Now, the remains are a testimony to one of the greatest economical periods Britain has ever known.
The ERIH family now embraces 33 countries, from Norway in the north to Italy in the south and Poland in the east.
ERIH secretary general Christiane Baum said: "The inclusion of Cornwall's internationally significant heritage now extends the network to the very western limits of the continent.
"The primary aim of ERIH is to promote these important industrial heritage sites and to create the foremost network of industrial heritage attractions across Europe."
Kevin Baker from King Edward Mine, at Troon, Cornwall, said he was "delighted" with the new designation.
He said: "This recognition enables association visitor attractions to be marketed within Europe to a vast potential of new visitors while raising awareness of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site even further."
