The origins of mining in Broken Hill date back to 1885 ...
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Concentration Mill 1897 |
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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.
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Winderhouse 1946 |
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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. |
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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 |
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?
ReplyDeletemining is such a tough job! can't imagine...
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these very cool photos of Broken Hill! Love how you were underneath some of the mining buildings to get great shots!
ReplyDeleteWhat awesome structures! Love that mine! Just building it had to be a big job. Wonderful photos, Carole!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a place to be with a camera, Carole!
ReplyDeleteThese are fantastic. I love all the textures and tones. Beautifully captured!
Sending you wishes for a wonderful day!
Great shots of the old mine.
ReplyDeleteI'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
I haven't visited this place. Thank you for taking us there.
ReplyDeleteSorry for my late visit.
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.
ReplyDelete