13 June 2012

Seen around the Line of Lode, Broken Hill, N.S.W.

The origins of mining in Broken Hill date back to 1885 ...
Brownes Shaft








Concentration Mill 1897



Signage reads: This jagged black outcrop is the weathered surface expression or gossan of the Broken Hill orebody.  At the time of discovery, the gossan cropped out over a length of 2.5 kilometres and formed the capping of the broken hill, which gave no hint of the fabulous wealth below.  This is what the early prospectors and miners encountered and referred to as the hill of mullock.

The gossan cap of the massive orebody contained mainly manganese oxides, iron oxides and quartz, and averaged 10-15% lead, but silver content was not spectacular.  It took 12 months before rich silver values were discovered about 30 metres below the surface.  Most of the gossan has now been removed by mining giving enormous significance to this outcrop.
Winderhouse 1946
Broken Earth Complex, on top the Line of Lode, opened in 2001.  It includes a miners memorial, recording the deaths of over 800 miners in Broken Hill mines, also a cafe and restaurant.  That corner pier looks a little dicey, but our ex-miner guide assured  it was perfectly stable with 12 metre piers. 

Some perspective of how visible the Line of Lode is to the township.  It is 'just up the hill' from the railway station, 'just up there' from the main street.  View beyond the Palace Hotel with the Broken Earth Complex showing atop the Line of Lode.  The Palace Hotel 1889, is one of fame when Priscilla, Queen of the Desert was filmed there.

Sharing with Outdoors Wednesday

8 comments:

  1. I notice in your mine as well as many others the massive amount of construction materials that go into building the complex yet it all seems worth the expense and labor or they wouldn't do it. I also see this is not a occupation I would want to do. I was surprised you put a name to the Bodie Hotel switchboard as I didn't know they went by brand names. Your secret is safe with me; I'll not tell anyone you once operated one. Oops, does this count?

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  2. mining is such a tough job! can't imagine...

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  3. Thanks for sharing these very cool photos of Broken Hill! Love how you were underneath some of the mining buildings to get great shots!

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  4. What awesome structures! Love that mine! Just building it had to be a big job. Wonderful photos, Carole!

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  5. Wow! What a place to be with a camera, Carole!
    These are fantastic. I love all the textures and tones. Beautifully captured!

    Sending you wishes for a wonderful day!

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  6. Great shots of the old mine.
    I've been down in a mine and it's hard to understand how people could work there.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Have a wonderful weekend, Carole.
    Mette

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  7. I haven't visited this place. Thank you for taking us there.

    Sorry for my late visit.

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  8. I loved seeing these photographs, Carole! My late mother-in-law's family started out in Kalgoorlie, WA before moving to Perth. I see there's a mine there known as the "Super Pit!" I know of at least one of the younger generation who has moved from WA to the NT to mine.

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thanks for visiting Snap Happy Birding, and for leaving a comment; I can still see them. Now both my blogs are resting in idle mode. It was time to give other things priority, even though I miss my regular blogging and the feedback that came my way over the years. Take care.