The affect of tin mining on the lives of people in Cornwall is the subject of new research being carried out by the Camborne School of Mines.

Academics are running the survey to see what people in the county think of past mining and how they would feel about mines reopening, as part of a European Union-funded project called ImpactMin (Impact Monitoring of Mineral Resources Exploitation).

It aims to investigate how remote sensing can be used to monitor the environmental impacts of mining. Results from the survey will be a vital part of the study.

Dr Elizabeth Adey, who is organising the Cornwall survey, said: "As part of the project we are looking at the social and economic impacts of mining, comparing sites across the UK, Romania, Sweden, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Russia.

"The research has already been undertaken in Russia and Romania and we want to carry out similar work in Cornwall. We want to learn what people think about mining and how it has affected their lives."

All responses to the 15-minute survey are anonymous it can be filled out at www.survey.exeter.ac.uk/mining

Paper surveys, together with a pre-paid return envelope, can be obtained from Dr Adey on 01326 254133 or by email at e.a.adey@exeter.ac.uk.