More than six areas of Cornish Mining have been identified which contain not only the distinctive engine houses for pumping, winding and stamping, but also the associated villages, chapels, miners' institutes and associated buildings. The area around Camborne, for example, witnessed some of the most intensive exploitation of metal ores anywhere in the country, and also saw the introduction of Cornwall's first railway. Almost the entire landscape of this area is a product of metal mining with dozens of engine houses. Great Wheal Busy was reputedly the site where in the 1770s James Watt introduced some of his early improvements to the steam engine.
To the southwest are the impressive late nineteenth century engine houses of Wheal Killifreth. Westwards towards Redruth the fine group of buildings of South Wheal Frances are also late nineteenth century and date to the final phase of tin mining of the famous copper-tin Basset mines. At Tolgus to the north there is the tin streaming works. Between Redruth and Camborne are some of the most complete monuments in the country including three surviving beam engines. Given the extent of Cornish Mining influence overseas this complex could also be counted under the theme of Britain's Global Influence.