THE BROKEN HILL MINE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 43, 21 February 1939, Page 6

THE BROKEN HILL MINE

yHE closing of the Broken Hill mine brings to an end one of the most remarkable chapters in Australia’s industrial history.

The Barrier Range, on which this mine is situated, was discovered by Sturt in 1844, the range rising to some 1400 feet. In 1867 reports of gold being in this district led to a gold rush, but all the miners found were intense privations due to the scarcity of wafer. Tn 1882 a rush was made to the district for the purpose of pegging out silver mines, and although there were some extraordinarily rich finds, not a great deal came of it. In September, 1883, a boundary rider named Charles Rasp, yegged out 40 acres of great ironstone outcrop in the belief that it was tin. A syndicate of seven, each of whom contributed £7O. was formed, and six more blocks of 40 acres were applied for. Although subjected to much ridicule the syndicate sunk a shaft and, at a depth of 100 feet, discovered chloride of silver at the end of 1884. Rich silver ore was discovered on other parts of the property and, in August, 1885, the Broken Hill Proprietary Company was floated. Tin. however, was never found. The mine became the largest silver leacTproducer in the world.

From then on the scheme developed from a mining to a smeltering venture, the Silvertown Tramway Co. being formed in 1887 to connect the Broken Hill with the South Australian railway. Port Pirie, in South Australia, was then developed for the smelting of lead and eventually, after the Great War revealed the shortage of spelter, the Electrolytic Zinc Corporation was set up to treat the zine concentrates at a plant in Tasmania. The Broken Hill Company has now turned its attention to the manufacture of iron and steel products and has achieved the world record for the lowest production costs.