Clifford Rice

Chief Chemist and Director of Laboratory Services

Clifford started in the mining industry in 1980, working at South Crofty then Wheal Jane with spells in India, Spain and Greece as a consultant.  During this period Clifford worked for various organisations including RTZ, Charter Consolidated and Crew Natural Resources.  His experience includes working as an XRF technician, smelter exchange chemist, and Chief Chemist from 1991 to 1998 at the Wheal Jane processing mill, before setting up the present commercial laboratory.  

Keith Blunden

Senior Laboratory Technician

Keith started work in 1967 for the china clay industry, before moving to tin mining when he joined Wheal Jane in 1972.  From 1978 he worked abroad with spells in Africa and the Middle East, mostly associated with gold mining and gold analysis.  In 1985 Keith again became involved in Cornish mining, working at Wheal Concord then Wheal Jane in 1988.  Keith’s experience includes mineral processing, analysis, sampling and sample preparation. 

Liam Palmer

Laboratory Technician

Liam qualified as a Chemical Engineer including working for a year in industry, before switching to analytical chemistry when he joined the team at Wheal Jane.  Liam’s previous experience includes working as a Science Technician at Helston Community College.  Liam specialises in wet chemistry, AAS, and XRF.

Samantha De-Swarte

Laboratory Technician

Samantha has worked for various laboratories including Abgene, part of the Thermo Fisher Group, where she was mainly involved with micro-biology.  Samantha specialises in wet chemistry, AAS and XRF.

Danielle Jackman

Laboratory Technician

Danielle has previously worked in a clean room for Research Instruments, a company that produced micro pipettes.

Danielle specialises in water analysis and heavy metal analysis.

Karen Knight

Laboratory Assistant

Karen has worked in various different industries and now assists the chemists and technicians in running the laboratory.

Karen Hocking

Office Administrator

Karen has worked mainly in admin and accounts for various companies, including Imerys Minerals.