Gold rush! Precious element used in iPods discovered in abandoned Cornish mine

When the last working tin mine in Europe closed after 400 years as the ­market for the metal crashed, it seemed to be the final chapter of a once proud history. But now the 3,000ft deep mine at South Crofty, near Redruth, Cornwall, has become the setting for a very 21st century ‘gold rush’ – after thousands of tonnes of a rare element used to make iPods were found there. It is the first time Indium – used in touch-screen technology and the manufacture of liquid crystal displays for flat screen TVs, computer monitors and satnavs – has been discovered in Britain. Yesterday, the ancient mine’s owners said the find was worth up to £200million over ten years. (Daily Mail)