bhp mine tour broken hill

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Broken Hill Mining

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Broken Hill is credited with transforming Australia from a pastoral backwater into a modern industrial nation. Valuable metals and minerals gave the city a strength that supported Australia through two world wars, two global depressions and endless social change.

Broken Hill Underground

Broken Hill is Australia’s longest-lived mining city. The city’s fortunes have come and gone against an extreme economic background of boom and bust which continues today. Most Australians know BHP Billiton , the world’s largest mining company, but fewer people know that BHP actually stands for Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited. Broken Hill is where it began for BHP in 1885, when it began mining the massive ore body containing the world’s richest source of silver, lead and zinc. The ‘ Syndicate of Seven ’ – the men from Mt Gipps Station – put the city on the map when they discovered ore on an isolated ‘broken hill’ in 1883. That same ore body became the largest single source of silver, lead and zinc ore ever discovered on earth, generating over $100 billion in wealth.

Day Dream Mine tour

As close as you can come today to the tough working conditions underground is by touring the Day Dream Mine , located 33km from Broken Hill near Silverton . Visitors go down in safety and relative comfort, but the tour offers enough of the real thing for you to be aghast at the harshness of the life miners once led.

Miners’ Memorial

The legacy is writ large on the Miners’ Memorial . Its striking contemporary architecture and view over the city add emotional weight to the list of more than 800 miners who lost their lives on the job. The dump truck (two small trucks) nearby adds further weight as a memorial to the only two miners still entombed. Take a moment to read the poem inscribed on it.

The dump trucks and the Miners’ Memorial are sober reminders of why Broken Hill pioneered a culture of trade unionism, including the introduction of the 35 hour working week and the defeat of conscription in Australia.

Living Mining Museum

For a sense of going underground without actually going under, visit White’s Mineral Art and Living Mining Museum on Allendale Street. A visit to the museum will take one on an illustrated journey through the architectural and mining history of the city. Bushy White’s mineral paintings are complimented with many rare mining artifacts, underground memorabilia and models of mine sites.

Line of Lode

Trade unionism.

In the late 1800s, safety in the mines was considered the sole responsibility of the workers themselves. As a result, they existed in intolerable conditions; breathing silicon-laden dust underground or the lead fumes of the smelters. Many died of miners’ phthisis or of lead poisoning. Massive attempts were made to improve working conditions, including a large strike in 1892 which was brutally put down by the mine bosses. While many miners lost faith in unionism as a result, an absolute distrust of mine owners became entrenched for generations.

When trade unions regained influence during the next century, this bitterness flared into open, unrestrained hostility, making Broken Hill notorious for the frequency and intensity of its strikes. A legacy of this militancy is presented in the Trades Hall and in murals on walls of prominent buildings in central Broken Hill.

Did you know?

Galena and Sphalerite are the natural mineral deposits which Broken Hill was founded around. Galena contains lead and silver, Sphalerite contains zinc. Broken Hill has more trucks and sets of traffic lights underground than it does on the surface. The mare called Auraria which belonged to David James, one of the original members of the Syndicate of Seven , won the Melbourne Cup in 1895.

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White's Mineral Art and Mining

Due to Covid-19, our individual Day Tours will only be offered as part of our Packaged Departures eg: Broken Hill Wanderer & Broken Hill Experience.

Experience mining life at White's Mineral Arts and Mining Museum where you can experience the underground without actually going under! Explore a realistic walk-in mine, detailed mining models and learn about Broken Hill's mining history with an amazing guided tour.  See mining minerals turned into works of art at the museum's exhibition of crushed mineral collage art works.  ​White's Mineral Arts and Mining Museum is a complete show for the whole family. Located at the highest point of the Line Of Lode overlooking the city atop of the richest ore body in the southern hemisphere. Learn about the origins of BHP and their eventual departure from Broken Hill. Observe the city’s unique architectural range as you pass palatial federation and victorian buildings followed by the curving faces of 1930s art deco and classic tin miner’s cottages.

What our guests say

I am a member of the Chermside Bowls Club in Queensland and organised a trip for 22 of our members through Silver City Tours. We chose to do the Outback Adventure tour. We travelled overnight on the train and were met early next morning by coach which took us to our motel for the start of a fantastic 5 days. The tours around Broken Hill and surrounding areas were enjoyed by all members, who found the whole trip to be very interesting - lots to see. The coach drivers were excellent and knew the areas we passed through very well. Our accommodation was great, with the friendly staff looking after our every need. I would have no hesitation in recommending this trip to anyone.

I am a member of the Chermside Bowls Club in Queensland and organised a trip for 22 of our members through Silver City Tours.  We chose to do the Outback Adventure tour.  We travelled overnight on the train and were met early next morning by coach which took us to our motel for the start of a fantastic 5 days.  The tours around Broken Hill and surrounding areas were enjoyed by all members, who found the whole trip to be very interesting - lots to see.  The coach drivers were excellent and knew the areas we passed through very well.  Our accommodation was great, with the friendly staff looking after our every need. I would have no hesitation in recommending this trip to anyone.

“Amazing service. Can’t wait to find out what’s next!”

The "Outback Wanderer" package catered for the mature age of our Probus Group with a good balance of touring and free time. As a longtime, world wide "package deal" traveller I must rate this as one of the best I have ever experienced for value , variety and service.                                

“Not sure what I did before discovering this Product. It’s super!”

On behalf of the 16 of us who visited Broken Hill just a word of thanks for a wonderful, well organised "Outback Break" tour. As some of us were seasoned caravaners, this was our first "organised" tour and we were a little apprehensive as to what to expect. As it turned out we could not have asked for more. A very special thanks to Roger, our tour guide and driver.                     

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Just a few words to thank you for setting up a really good trip for us "The Darling River Run". It all worked out very well, it was a happy group, and Chris looked after us beautifully. I hope you gave him a few days off!

The Harry Nanja guy at Mungo was a great entertainer, and very good value.The girl at the Back o' Bourke centre was excellent. The guide at the Dubbo Zoo was excellent, and it was really very worthwhile to have the guide there - we saw the maximum  amount possible in the time available, whereas we would have seen hardly anything left to our own devices. Liz Murray at Trilby was really excellent, but you don't need me to tell you that!  The chocolate slice lasted until morning tea at White Cliffs! 

Best regards, and thanks again,   

Our members who participated in the recent "Outback Adventure" tour of Broken Hill were absolutely delighted with your company's service. The tours were memorable for the interesting sights, the pleasantness of your coach drivers and the fun. I am sure they will have no trouble in recommending your service to others, particularly other Probus club members.                         

As organiser of our Club's Away Trip to Broken Hill, I would sincerely like to thank you for all the arrangements you made for us. You were always courteous, most helpful, you kept us fully informed, which we appreciated. Please pass on our appreciation to Cheryl and to John, our coach driver, who really looked after us. The accommodation at the Silver Haven Motor Inn was excellent. Everyone in the group assured me they enjoyed the trip. 

My sincere thanks once again. 

I am writing to thank you for your effort in arranging the  itinerary, accommodation and the guide/coach driver for our recent visit to your city. We were kept busy at all times with little being  heard from anybody in our group after 09:30 p.m.

A special mention must be made for Les our coach driver/tour guide. Les was enthusiastic and knowledgeable about his city and other parts of the country and at all times was most courteous to our group as well as other road users. He would go out of his way to make our understanding of your city and environs complete and should he not know the answer to questions raised he would come back with an answer the next time we met him.  

Our accommodation was good with again the proprietors Michael and Dana going out of their way to make our stay a most enjoyable one.

All went well and again I thank you for your assistance in making it happen.

We would like to thank you for making our Broken Hill trip that much more interesting. We were with the group from Merewether Ladies Probus and your drivers on all the tours were first rate, their knowledge of the region and how they presented it was great, it was obvious to us all that these people love Broken Hill.

I have just returned from the "Outback Adventure" in Broken Hill and its surrounds. I didn't know what to expect, and had no idea what it would be like, but my expectations were met and exceeded. Broken Hill is a fascinating place with so much to see and learn. The tours were well organised and most interesting. Your drivers(Les, Roger and Eric) were helpful, knowledgeable, courteous and friendly in addition to being excellent drivers of course.

The motel (Silver Haven Motor Inn) provided excellent accommodation, and meals, the manager taking the time each evening at dinner to speak to those of us on the tour and enquire to our day.

My personal thanks to you and your team for everything.

We just had a six day holiday in Broken Hill. We had the most memorable time in Broken Hill and we will recommend it to anyone. Thank you for the best budget holiday ever. All of the arrangements were perfect. Our bus driver Chris was an excellent tour guide, he was very informative. The motel was very good and the food was excellent.  Regards.

380 Argent Street Broken Hill NSW 2880

+61 8 8087 6956 [email protected].

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Earth sciences for Australia’s future

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News and events

New visitor experiences showcase the minerals of Broken Hill

18 September 2015

Genevieve Crutchley, Katy Tomkins and Kate Lehane

A new exhibition and behind-the-scenes tours at Geoscience Australia celebrate the rich mining history of the Broken Hill region, and highlight some of the now rare mineral samples held within Geoscience Australia's mineral collection.

The National Mineral Collection is an impressive selection of some 15 000 mineral and 90 meteorite specimens, of which approximately 600 are on permanent display at Geoscience Australia. The Collection includes a number of distinctive and famous Australian specimens, including some of the unique specimens featured in the 1999 publication 'Minerals of Broken Hill' .

The city of Broken Hill in far western New South Wales is the location of the world's largest lead-zinc-silver deposit. The Broken Hill ore body formed as a result of volcanic activity about 1.7 billion years ago when seawater, heated by the volcanic activity, bubbled up through the sea floor where it encountered the cold ocean water and formed clouds of black sulphide precipitates. These sediments then settled on the sea floor to form layers of sediment rich in zinc, lead and silver sulphide minerals.

Erosion over the past 500 million years has exposed these minerals to weathering. Subsequent exposure to air and groundwater has triggered a series of chemical reactions, generating a suite of new minerals such as smithsonite, azurite and malachite.

A diagram of the coat-hanger shaped Broken Hill ore body

The Broken Hill orebody is about 8 kilometres long and shaped like a coat-hanger. The deepest point descends to over 1.5 kilometres underground and outcrops in the centre. The orebody contains a massive sulphide lode of over 200 million tonnes, 50 million tonnes of lead and zinc and 20 000 tonnes of silver.

History of discovery

The Broken Hill ore deposit was first discovered by boundary rider, Charles Rasp in 1883. Rasp worked on Mount Gipps Station and was attracted to a hill on the station after purchasing a prospector's guide while on holiday in Adelaide. He thought that the dark surface of the hill could be a sign of tin oxide. Accompanied by two others, James Poole and David James, he set out for the hill and examined and pegged out the blackest section. His claim became the first mining lease on Broken Hill.

Photo of Central mine, Broken Hill taken in the early 1900s: Copyright: State Records NSW

The owner of Mount Gipps Station, George McCulloch, declared he would support the exploration, resulting in the beginnings of Broken Hill mining:

"There's nothing on the hill or if there is you, James and Poole haven't got the money to get the stuff out. You'll have the place rushed if you strike anything. What did you say you'd pegged out? Forty acres. Man, we'll all of us go into it and peg out the whole hill."

In April 1885 rich silver ore was discovered by Thomas Nutt. In early June, the shareholders met and registered the Broken Hill Proprietary Co., more commonly referred to as BHP. On 27 June 1885 William Knox accepted an offer of the secretaryship of the newly formed company. Generally regarded as the brains behind the operation, Knox threw great energy and talent into resolving the company's increasing complexities.

Knox's shaft was sunk on the spot identified by Nutt, where assays of 2000 to 3000 ounces of silver per tonne were subsequently found, guaranteeing the future of Broken Hill. The venture quickly became Australia's wealthiest enterprise and the world's most successful silver-mine. Ore was transported to South Australia by camel trains, wagons and pack mules.

By the late 1880s BHP had only kept Blocks 11, 12 and 13, which had been mined first using shafts, and then by open cut. As BHP's mineral reserves ran out, the company began to consider alternate options for its future. In 1911 BHP decided to build a steelworks, and its interests moved steadily away from Broken Hill. BHP ceased mining operations at Broken Hill in 1939, and left the area in 1942. During its operation the company mined over 250 million ounces of silver, 3 million tonnes of lead, and 2 million tonnes of zinc, making over 60 million pounds of profit for Broken Hill.

Broken Hill has since been mined continuously for almost 120 years. There are now only two operators in this area, both utilising highly efficient bulk underground mechanised mining.

Geoscience Australia's work in the region

Geoscience Australia has worked in the Broken Hill region over many decades to better understand its mineral and water resources.

Geological map of New South Wales showing the location of Broken Hill.

In the 1990s Geoscience Australia together with the New South Wales government and partners in South Australia began a study to address the long term economic prosperity of the city of Broken Hill. The region was facing an uncertain future, following predictions that the ore body would be exhausted within 10-12 years.

The Broken Hill Exploration Initiative sought to better understand the regional geology and mineral potential of the Broken Hill region in New South Wales and the Olary region in South Australia. The outputs from this project were a geological map and report, documenting the stratigraphy of the region, and papers and presentations at conferences and seminars intended to stimulate interest in the region as an area with further mineral potential.

To highlight the importance of Broken Hill's geological heritage, Geoscience Australia has compiled a public exhibition and tour of stunning mineral samples.

The recently installed Broken Hill Minerals display is now open to the public between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday at Geoscience Australia's headquarters in Canberra.

Members of the public are also invited to join a unique behind the scenes tour of Geoscience Australia's Gem, Fossil and Mineral Collection during Earth Science Week (11-17 October).

Further information

Birch, WD & Broken Hill (NSW) City Council 1999, Minerals of Broken Hill, 2nd edn. Editor William D Birch.Broken Hill City Council, NSW.

Worner, HK, Mitchell, RW, Segnit, ER & Australian Mining & Smelting Limited 1982, Minerals of Broken Hill, 1st edn. Australian Mining & Smelting Limited, Melbourne.

Line of Lode hill

• +61 1300 763 188 or 0417 244 600

Tours from Broken Hill

Tours from Broken Hill by Spirit Safaris are genuine small groups (2-4 people per luxury 4WD) and include Cameron Corner, the Dingo Fence, Milparinka, Tibooburra, Innaminka and the Burke & Wills Dig Tree , Lake Eyre, Arkaroola, Wilpena Pound and the Flinders Ranges. Also, t ours from Broken Hill or Sydney include NSW Corner Country, Mungo, Mootwingee and Gundabooka National Park with unique Aboriginal Rock Art, Bourke, Darling River, Macquarie Marshes, Broken Hill and amazing icons on the way.

Tours from Broken Hill include Silverton and the movie sets where Mad Max and other Aussie icons were made, is on the list, and guests can dine at Mario’s Palace Hotel, still with its incredible artworks as revealed in the movie Priscilla Queen of the Desert fame.

Travellers can now have an exciting adventure closer to home in New South Wales, reaching some of these unique places in our very capable and comfortable off-road 4WD vehicles. Tours really take in the best of Outback NSW

Travel in outback Australia is our speciality, and our new Covid ready tours in NSW, VIC and SA from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane mean you don’t have to fly in a plane. When we commence we will ensure strict hygiene protocols are in place, including Covid clear health checks.

People can travel as a couple or bring one or two of their friend s and know that they are avoiding the crowds in buses or larger groups. As a small or private group, stops can be at the customers’ convenience or their places of special interest.

Tours explore the real Australian Outback including NSW Corner Country, Mungo and Gundabooka National Park with unique Aboriginal Rock Art, Bourke, Darling River, Macquarie Marshes, Broken Hill and amazing icons on the way from Sydney, Broken Hill or Adelaide and return over 3-14 days.

Broken Hill, which once had its own stock exchange, is a tour highlight. Guests visit the original BHP mine site, the Line of Lode memorial , Pro Harts Gallery, the Living Outback Sculptures and marvel at the history and size of the birthplace of the “Big Australian”, BHP. Shorter tours are also available that meet the train service to Sydney, and tour to Camerons Corner, Innamincka, Lake Eyre, Flinders Ranges and Coongie Lakes .

Our very small group (2-4 people per 4WD) tours from Broken Hill are connecting people to each other and unique nature and the extraordinary beauty and history in our own backyard.

The Silo Art Trail is part of the 12 day tour, and is a new phenomenon of massive and beautiful artworks on outback grain silos in remote country towns. The artworks are a photographers delight, with such uniquely Australian images.

The 12 day tour from Broken Hill and Sydney includes visiting such sites as the Siding Springs Observatory in the Warrumbungle Ranges near Coonabarabran, Mungo National Park, Broken Hill, and the Darling River Run, Burke and Wills camp o n the banks of Menindee Lakes . People can take a cruise on the Jandra paddleboat from Bourke and revisit the ancient Aboriginal fish traps in Brewarrina that are more than 40,000 years old.

Tours from Broken Hill or via Broken Hill

You can reserve your interest in any of these tours with a $100 fully-refundable deposit in case Covid-19 limits travel

• Silo Art Trail Tours – h ttps://spiritsafaris.rezdy.com/catalog/397896/silo-art-trail-tours
• Outback NSW, Mungo National Park, Broken Hill and Darling River Run – – see calendar below
• Channel & Corner Country – https://spiritsafaris.rezdy.com/catalog/319986/corner-channel-country
• Kangaroo Island & Flinders Ranges – https://www.spiritsafaris.com/kangaroo-island-tours-5-days/
• Dig Tree Innamincka & Coongie Lakes + much more – see calendar below

These NSW tours can take you to Broken Hill – and includes Macquarie Marshes – and could link Coongie Lakes with one of these …

• Silo Art Trail Tour NSW Victoria South Australia Sydney Adelaide – https://spiritsafaris.rezdy.com/388291/silo-art-trail-tour-nsw-victoria-south-australia-sydney-adelaide
• Mungo National Park Tours Sydney to Adelaide 5 days- https://spiritsafaris.rezdy.com/286361/mungo-national-park-tours-sydney-to-adelaide-5-days
• Silo Art Trail Mungo NSW Outback Tours Sydney to Broken Hill 6 days – https://spiritsafaris.rezdy.com/391238/silo-art-trail-mungo-nsw-outback-tours-sydney-to-broken-hill-6-days
• NSW Outback Explorer Silo Art Corner Country Mungo Broken Hill Darling River Bourke Sydney Return 12 or 14 days includes Macquarie Marshes – https://spiritsafaris.rezdy.com/391372/nsw-outback-explorer-silo-art-corner-country-mungo-broken-hill-darling-river-bourke-sydney-return-12-days
• NSW Outback Warrumbungles Silo Art Corner Country Mungo Broken Hill Darling River Bourke Sydney Return 14 days includes Siding Springs, Mudgee overnight & Macquarie Marshes – https://www.spiritsafaris.com/nsw-outback-warrumbungles-silo-art-corner-country-mungo-broken-hill-tour-14-days/

Tours are summarised with the calendar here – https://www.spiritsafaris.com/nsw-outback-tours/

Feel Free to Email or Call for more details of tours from Broken hill on 0417 244 600 or 1300 763 188 if you have any questions

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Delprats Underground Tourist Mine

Useful information, description.

The underground tour of an original BHP mine takes place on a level 200 meters deep below the surface. The visitors get helmets, rubber boots and miners lamps.

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About Broken Hill

Broken hill is a mecca for tourists, artists, film makers, photographers and adventure seekers. .

Built on a rich history of mining, Broken Hill is Australia's first heritage listed city and a must see on your bucket list of Australian adventures.  From the beautiful colonial architecture of our city buildings to the fascinating history of Australian mining, Broken Hill is a capsule of Australian spirit and survival - easy to explore on your own self-guided tours or with the benefit of a wealth of local knowledge and wicked sense of humour on one of our inhouse Away Tours options.

You can tour the mines , beautiful heritage buildings and iconic landscapes , and enjoy great meals at trendy cafes, restaurants and colonial era hotels. 

In addition to being historically signifant, Broken Hill is a mecca for artists across many genres. Our vast desert landscape attracts photographers, painters and sculptors from around the world and our wonderful galleries showcase the most talented. And when you need a break from exploring, you can sit down to a cold beer and plate of comfort food at one of our classic Aussie Pubs, or visit a contemporary cafe for delicious food and coffee to rival the capital cities.

Our thriving art community is abundant with more than 20  art galleries exhibiting works by artists (some very well known including Pro Hart) who have been inspired and fascinated by Broken Hill and our surrounding landscapes.

The city and surrounding area offers breathtaking and diverse landscapes to discover and explore, from lush wetlands and lakes to spectacular flat topped mesas. For decades, photographers, artists and film makers have been drawn to Broken Hill to experience the unique, vibrant colours and 'perfect light' of our landscapes. In fact, Broken Hill is renowned for being the location for the second  Mad Max movie fllmed in the 70's.

Broken Hill is Australia’s first heritage listed city.

Broken Hill is listed on the National Heritage List alongside the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, the Sydney Opera House and the Great Barrier Reef in far north Queensland. This Heritage listing recognises the city’s significant mining history and contribution to the Australian and International mining and resources industry. The listing also recognises Broken Hill’s contribution to industrial relations with many conditions of employment, including workplace safety, originating from Broken Hill.

Broken Hill is situated in outback New South Wales (NSW) on the South Australian (SA) border at the crossing of the Barrier Highway and the Silver City Highway on the Barrier Ranges. The area was built on the world's largest silver, lead and zinc mine operated by Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited (now BHP Billiton), one of the world's largest mining companies.

In 1844 explorer Charles Sturt discovered and named the Barrier Ranges and referred to a "broken hill" in his diary. Silver Ore was later discovered on this "broken hill" in 1883 by Charles Rasp – founder of the city, Broken Hill.  The "broken hill" that gave its name to Broken Hill actually comprised a number of hills that appeared to have a break in them. The "broken hill" no longer exists having been mined away and the city remains Australia's oldest continually populated mining city.

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Day dream mine

A day to remember, underground and surface tours.

Daydream Mine only operates seven days a week during Victorian and New South Wales school holidays (excluding summer).

Outside of these times and during the summer holidays, the mine will be closed on Monday and Friday.

If you are very large group (15 or more adults) or a coach booking please contact us and arrangements may be able to be made.

We will also be open all Easter long weekend.

We apologise for any convenience this causes, however, due to staff shortages and health issues we’ve had to make this choice after 29 years of operating seven days a week.

So please book ahead of time.

We need everyone to book in before to arrival. please call 0427 885 682..

History will come alive as you drive along the road through the Appollyon Valley thinking “how did they find this mine?”

Then coming over the hill to view the magnificent smelter built by the Daydream Mining Association and used by Broken Hill.

Then the old township which once had a population of approx 500.

Real Tunnels

Real experience, after the tour enjoy some scones in our tearoom, scones so good even the pet horses want some, the scones are absolutely incredible. my partner, a true blue bloke, is not a scone eater, they impressed him so much that they have become his benchmark of what a scone should be like, delicious piping hot fresh scones with cream and jam plus a cuppa tea and 4 hot chocolates, made and served by the owner's son, jason. this alone made it worth the trip., come and visit the mine today.

It is possible to still experience what life was like for the early outback miner.

Tours are 10:00am and 11:30am. Please book by calling 0427 885 682.

We are open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday   until Easter during quiet months.

Underground Tours

Seniors & Pensioners $31

Students (16 yrs+) $29

Underground Tours (Sunday)

Seniors & Pensioners $38

Students (16 yrs+) $34

Children $16

Underground Tours (Public Holidays)

Seniors & Pensioners $40

Students (16 yrs+) $36

Children $18

Surface Tours

Surface tours are available

$10 Standard

$12 Sunday Rate

$14 Public Holiday

Tour Duration

Wear Enclosed Shoes

Bookings Welcome Anytime

Ph  0427 885 682

Scones $8.50

Sunday Rate $10.00

Public Holidays $12.00

Call Today to book your Visit 0427 885 682

Iron Knob is located 40 minutes NW of Whyalla, adjacent to the Eyre Highway. Learn the history of iron ore mining and experience a mine tour.

The Broken Hill Propriety Company Limited (BHP) was granted iron ore leases at Iron Knob in November 1899. Ore was initially used at Port Pirie as a flux during the smelting of silver, lead and zinc ore.

At one time the Iron Knob and Iron Baron mining operations supplied the iron ore for all BHP blast furnaces, but since the development of the Pilbara deposits in WA, the local mines have concentrated on fulfilling Whyalla's needs.

After nearly 100 years, mining at Iron Knob ended in April 1998 when the last ore was taken from the Iron Monarch open cut pit. In 2012, the Iron Monarch pit was re-opened and ore once again transported to Whyalla.

Over the years other mines have been opened to meet demands - Iron Baron in 1933, Iron Prince and Iron Queen in the 1970s; and the most recent major development in 1990 with the opening of Iron Duke 55kms south-west of Whyalla off the Lincoln Highway.

The town has a post office with internet access, camping ground, public toilets and a community tourist centre.

The mainline is 76kms to Iron Duke. Trains are made up of two locomotives hauling 50 trucks each carrying 60 tonnes of ore - a total of 3,000 tonnes each. Up to four trains per day can be loaded depending on plant requirements.

Tourist Centre

The Community Tourist Centre is well signposted and has also been developed as a mining museum.

It displays old mining equipment, mineral specimens, interpretive displays and photographs, and a theatrette that presents the story of mining in Iron Knob. Visitors can enjoy refreshments and browse the range of souvenirs on sale. Facilities include shady trees, toilets and ample parking.

Open weekdays from 9.00am-3.30pm. Ph. +61 8 8646 2129 .

Guided mine tours depart from the Iron Knob Tourist Centre where a mini-bus transports visitors to where there are views of the original Iron Knob pit and from which work at the Iron Princess and Monarch pits may be seen. Enclosed footwear is compulsory.

Tours are run by volunteers and can be booked in advance via 08 8646 2129.  Tours availible Monday to Friday between 9.15am to 12.30pm and 1.15pm – 2.45pm depending on tour guide availabilty and weather/mining activities permitting.

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talk to us about your next Holiday

Whyalla Visitor Centre, Lincoln Highway Open: 7 days Mon–Fri 9am–4pm.  Weekends and public holidays 10am–4pm.  Closed: Good Friday and Christmas Day  Phone: (08) 8645 7900 Email: [email protected]

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$888,000,000,000.00 BHP Billiton Strikes Down Bad Faith BHP Cash Crash Warning Poisoning waters

Mining the past opens future prospects for outback city

The death knell may be tolling for one of Australia's most famous mines but the city built on its back is choosing hope over mourning.

Broken Hill's Rasp - the original BHP mine that marked the start of the world's largest silver, lead and zinc operations - has slipped into a staged closure, with works aside from rehabilitation grinding to a halt.

The local office phone for its owner CBH Resources, the zinc producer that acquired the mine in 2001, is ringing out.

Rumours are swirling about the possibility of a buyout by Broken Hill's last longstanding mining company Perilya, but it has not confirmed whether a deal is on the table after CBH said its own parent company was "not in a position" to further invest.

Some in the far west NSW city believe the mine will permanently close, but prominent locals see that as an opportunity rather than a loss.

Larry Angell is caretaker of White's Mineral Art and Mining Museum, the 68-year-old stepping up in April 2023 following the death of its founder Kevin "Bushy" White, who established the attraction with his wife Betty.

The museum is home to hundreds of Mr White's crushed mineral artworks including a scale model of Broken Hill's Line of Lode, the massive ore body that runs through the outback city.

It also features Mrs White's collection of more than 1000 dolls, and dioramas depicting mining's history created by Bushy's brother Ted White.

"I just felt so strongly about preserving the place," Mr Angell told AAP.

The local tourism buff and former miner wants Rasp transformed into a world-class underground attraction, and has given the local government a document with diagrams detailing how it could work.

The attraction would serve as an unique museum, taking tourists through BHP's birthplace using the mine's existing underground roads and infrastructure, which are more extensive than those at surface level in Broken Hill.

Different sections of the Line of Lode would show visitors how mining has changed over the decades, and could double as a miner training facility.

Mr Angell also wants mining artefacts and Mr White's mineral art relocated to a new building atop the Line of Lode.

"There's so much potential for what's there," he said.

"No one gets anything (from filling in the hole), so we could start mining tourists."

His vision is a cut above the existing tourist offering that consists of a miner's memorial along with a long-vacant cafe, for which the NSW government has been unable to find a tenant despite spending about $6.5 million on improvements.

The first round of renovating the cafe cost about $5.5 million but the government neglected to fit it with a kitchen.

Broken Hill Mayor Tom Kennedy says the council has considered putting the Rasp mine's remediation bond towards making it a heritage site, complete with museums, but such a project would likely require backing by a large donor.

"It might be BHP for example, it might be Clive Palmer, or it might be someone who is really interested in that historical-type mining project, because it would cost a lot of millions of dollars to keep active," he told AAP.

"You'd have international tourists in the tens of thousands, geologists, scientists (and) university educators coming to Broken Hill ... if that was set up because to have an operating mine as a living museum, it would be probably the only one in the world."

Mr Kennedy says mining in Broken Hill will be far from over should Rasp close, instead thinking it "will never not be" the city's predominant industry.

Like many locals, the mayor is putting stock in new projects such as Canadian compressed air storage venture Hydrostor and cobalt sulphate-producing Cobalt Blue.

He wants the federal government to help fast-track the two projects, which are hoped to be up and running from about 2027 and expected to create hundreds of jobs in Broken Hill.

Two nearby iron ore projects are yet to have concrete timing, Hawsons Iron in the NSW far central-west and Lodestone Mines near Olary in South Australia, about 115km from Broken Hill.

Cobalt Blue has worked to get the Broken Hill community excited about its project, holding career days for students and encouraging residents to be among its first few hundred shareholders.

The company is pitching the project as aligned with renewable energy, as its cobalt sulphate is intended to be used to produce batteries for electric vehicles.

"People talk about the need to wind back mining - it's exactly the opposite," Broken Hill plant manager Adam Randall tells AAP.

"For development of the modern world to continue - whether (it's) the production of wind turbines, solar farms, electric vehicles - you still need iron, tin, zinc and copper and everything in increasing numbers.

"The scope of mining has expanded to now include a higher focus on critical minerals ... realistically the future of mining has to be based on decarbonisation (and recycling mine waste).

"We're not changing what we're doing - we really need to change how we're doing it."

Aboriginal peoples in Broken Hill have ongoing concerns about the lack of consultation over the city's future, including with mining.

Wilyakali elder Sandra Clark says Aboriginal history in the region is disregarded and excluded from Broken Hill's narrative.

"They are not taking in our cultural perspectives," Aunty Sandra told AAP.

"There are some things that are sacred that shouldn't be seen, but it's all about building that narrative of 'this is mining country, a mining town'.

"It suppresses our story down further to a point where Wilyakali are not being heard."

But the city won't slow down when it comes to mining. The Line of Lode cutting through Broken Hill is not just a reminder of what it was, but also what it wants to remain.

This AAP article was made possible with the support of the Meta Australian News Fund and The Walkley Foundation.

Australian Associated Press

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Perilya Limited is an Australian base metals mining and exploration company operating the iconic Zinc, Lead and Silver mine in Broken Hill, New South Wales and also the Cerro de Maim�n Copper, Gold and Silver mine in the Dominican Republic. Perilya's operations also include the Flinders Project in South Australia.

Principal Registered Office Level 8 251 Adelaide Terrace Perth, Western Australia 6000

Postal Address PO Box 3057, Adelaide Terrace Perth Western Australia 6832

Telephone: + 61 8 6330 1000 Facsimile: + 61 8 6330 1099 Email: [email protected] Website: www.perilya.com.au

ABN: 85 009 193 695

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• 1. Kintore Reserve
• 2. Duke of Cornwall Hotel -1888
• 3. Daydream Hotel - 1888
• 4. Barrier Boarding House -1888
• 5. Shops - c1890
• 6. Willyama Hotel -1905
• 7. Old Railway Station - 1919
• 8. BHP Chimney - 1885
• 9. BHP Slag Heap - 1886

10. BHP Mill Foundations - 1897

• 11. Delprat Shaft - 1900
• 12. Mullockers Memory
• 13. Line of Lode Miners’ Memorial and Visitors Centre
• 14. Former Crown Hotel - c 1890
• 15. Former Wilcannia Club Hotel - 1888
• 16. Railway Station - 1957
• 17. Bond Store - 1890
• 18. Former Crystal Hotel
• 19. Former Miners Arms Hotel -c 1890
• 20. Duke of Cornwall Park
• 21. Central School - 1907
• 22. Gaol - 1891
• 23. High School - 1919
• 24. Former Police Barracks - 1900
• 25. Central School Building - 1900
• 26. Pig and Whistle Hotel - 1890
• 27. Synagogue - 1910
• 28. Joe Keenan Lookout
• 29. Sulphide Street Cottages - c1900
• 30. Hospital - 1941
• 31. Thomas Street Uniting Church - 1911
• 32. Regeneration Reserve
• 33. White Rocks Reserve
• 34. Cummins Street Residences - c1890
• 35. Thomas Street Residences - c1890
• 36. Tydvil Hotel - 1891
• 37. Mulga Hill Hotel - 1890
• 38. Oxide Street Row Cottages - c1890
• 39. St Andrews Uniting Church - 1905
• 40. St Peters Anglican Church - 1928
• 41. Former Caledonian Hotel - 1898
• 42. Catholic Bishop’s Residence - 1887
• 43. Sacred Heart Cathedral and adjacent Convent 1905 and 1900
• 44. Sacred Heart College - 1927
• 45. The Towers - c1890
• 46. Wesley Church - 1888
• 47. Sturt Park
• 48. Trades Hall - 1898/1904
• 49. YMCA - c1890
• 50. Miners Lamp Motel - 1888
• 51. Imperial Hotel - 1888
• 52. Scout Hall - 1900
• 53. Old Royal Hotel - 1904
• 54. Iodide Street Row Cottages - c1890
• 55. Wades Shop - c1890
• 56. Baptist Church - 1917
• 57. Shop and Residence - c1890
• 58. Williams Street Residences - c1890
• 59. Mosque - 1891
• 60. North Primary School - 1902
• 61. School of the Air - 1956
• 63. South Australian Brewery - 1893
• 64. North Mine
• 65. Junction Hotel - 1892
• 66. Junction Circle - 1950
• 67. Thompson Shaft - 1910
• 68. Junction Mine and Lookout
• 69. British Mine Housing - c1910
• 70. MMM Dumps
• 71. All Nations Hotel - 1891
• 72. Assay Office c1890
• 73. Central Power Station - 1930
• 74. Former Central Mine Manger’s Residence (now St Ann’s Nursing Home)
• 75. Alma Hotel -1891
• 76. South Broken Hill Hotel - 1889
• 77. Former South Police Station - 1889
• 78. South Post Office - 1898
• 79. South Fire Station - c1900
• 80. Patton Park
• 81. Bells Milk Bar – 1956
• 82. Alma Mechanic’ Institute – 1898
• 83. Former Salvation Army Hall 1900
• 84. Gladstone Hotel - 1888
• 85. South Primary School 1910
• 86. St James Anglican Church 1903
• 87. South Baptist Church - 1911
• 88. South Mine Offices - 1910
• 89. Zinc Oval and Zinc Mine (not accessible to the public)
• 90. Former All Saints Catholic Church - 1890
• 91. Union Club Hotel - c1890
• 92. Zinc Lakes - 1948
• 93. NBHC Mine Housing - c1950
• 94. NBHC Mine Haulage and Service Shafts –1946 (not open to the public
• 95. Southern Cross Shaft - 1966
• 96. South Mine Headframes 1919/1932
• 97. Ryan Street Cottages - 1890
• 98. A.J. Keast Park
• 99. Hillside Hotel - 1891
• 100. Burke Ward Hall - 1905
• 101. Railwaytown Post Office - 1925
• 102. Nicholls Street Methodist Church - c1890
• 103. Cornish Street Lookout
• 104. Broken Hill Cemetery - 1889
• 105. Former Freiberg Hotel - 1899
• 106. Burke Ward School - 1897
• 107. Ambush Site
• 108. St Marys Catholic Church - 1922
• 109. Railwaytown Baptist Church - 1913
• 110. The Salvation Army Hall 1960
• 111. The Former Railway Town Post Office - 1900
• 112. The Gasworks Hotel - 1891
• 113. St Phillips Anglican Church - 1903
• 114. The South Australian Hotel
• 115. Railway Residences 1890
• 116. Tramway Residence - 1902
• 117. Rising Sun Hotel - 1888
• 118. Block 10 Lookout
• 119. Queen Elizabeth Park
• Patton Street Park
• Queen Elizabeth Park
• National Heritage Listing
• Cameron Corner
• Sturt's Steps
• White Cliffs

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These fortress-like stone foundations are the remains of BHP’s concentration mills that operated from 1894 to 1897. The company’s first concentration mill was built on the east side of the lode in 1889. Concentration is the process of separating valuable metals or minerals from the raw material, in this case ore. The first mill was closed due to subsidence.  

A gravity mill with a capacity of 10,000 tons of ore per week was erected here in 1897. The mill produced high-grade lead, but millions of tons of zinc-rich waste product, or tailings, were dumped.  

In 1904, the flotation process was added to the plant. Flotation involves crushing the ore to separate valuable minerals and gangue (mined rock that is not ore) components, pulping the particles of ore with water, and then separating the specific mineral. It operated until 1927 and was demolished in 1940.

Audio transcript available.

10-BHP-Mill-Foundations.mp3

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Ore mined underground is hauled by an automated train system to crushing, storage and ore hoisting facilities, or trucked directly to the surface via declines. The metallurgical complex consists of grinding, flotation and leach circuits, a hydrometallurgical plant incorporating solvent extraction circuits for copper and uranium, copper smelter, copper refinery and a recovery circuit for precious metals.

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with Professor Katie Holmes "Broken Hill: 'Modern Water' and an Inland Mining Empire" co-sponsored by a Gaines Center for the Humanities 2023-24 Mini Grant

Broken Hill is an Australian mining town in the far west of New South Wales. It is also the home of Broken Hill Propriety Limited, or BHP, now the world's largest mining empire. The town is celebrated as a proud heritage city that is foundational to Australia's economic success and identity. But the town also exemplifies settler-colonial mismanagement and extraction. It is a history that connects the inland of Australia and the global empire BHP built--including oil and gas--to a fossil fuel industry that has shaped our Anthropocene world. This presentation considers climate and the problem of water in an inland arid region. Water connects Broken Hill to global empires of mining, agriculture, and fast fashion. 

Professor Katie Holmes is the Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser Visiting Chair in Australian Studies, Harvard, 2023-24. At her home university, La Trobe University in Melbourne, she is Professor of History and Director of the Center for the Study of the Inland. 

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