Mining History
1840-1920: Copper
The first metal mine in Australia, Wheal Gawler at Glen Osmond, commenced operations within sight of Adelaide
in 1841. However it was the mining of copper ores at
Kapunda (1844) and Burra (1845), which aroused widespread interest in metal mining in South Australia
and caused the first major decentralisation from Adelaide. Cornish miners and their families poured into South Australia to take part in the great copper boom.
They brought with them their mining expertise to help
extract the rich ore that gave South Australia the title of
The Copper Kingdom by virtue of mines of world significance.
By 1850, South Australia was the third largest copper producer in the world and its mines had added financial stability to an almost bankrupt colony. These mineral deposits had a profound effect on settlement in the new colony. Land was surveyed for mineral tenements, mining townships and agricultural purposes. Basic road networks were established during this period to cart ore to Port Adelaide for shipment to Wales, and to deliver heavy machinery to the mines.
South Australia’s importance as a copper producer was maintained with further discoveries at Wallaroo in 1859 and Moonta in 1861. These mines were on large, rich deposits and were worked continuously for more than 60 years. During the 1860s and 1870s, many smaller mines producing copper, gold, lead and silver were established throughout the Mount Lofty and Flinders Ranges.
Burra Mine, 1857 Wallaroo Mine, c.1890 Iron Prince, 1940 Olympic Dam Mine, 2004
1920-1970: Iron
The second major phase of metal mining which occurred in SA was based on iron whose development coincided with the eclipse of copper. The major mining development of that period was based on outcrops of iron ore in the Middleback Ranges and iron ore was the principal commodity mined in SA from 1920-1977. Mining operations coupled with the development of an integrated steelworks and shipbuilding yards (for a period) supported the industrial city of Whyalla. Production to date has been from large open cut operations based on about a dozen principal deposits.
1970-Present: Copper, Uranium and Iron
Re-examination of old mining districts in the 1960s, led to the reopening of several old copper mines by the early 1970s, including Burra (1969), Kanmantoo (1970) and the Cattlegrid orebody at Mount Gunson in 1974. These had all closed due to falling copper prices by 1980. Uranium exploration was also revived based on the possibility of uranium accumulation in younger sedimentary basins. This has led to the discovery of several new uranium deposits in palaeochannels which are mined by the in situ leaching method.
The discovery of mineral deposits to the 1960s are attributable to their exposure at the surface. The likelihood of further major discoveries near the surface was regarded as remote and hence mineral exploration was directed to areas where potential host rocks are concealed by deep weathered profiles, surficial cover or barren blankets of younger sediments. Such a potential province of potential host rocks is the Gawler Craton which underlies a vast area in the centre of South Australia. Today the State’s mining industry is dominated by the Olympic Dam Mine, which is based on the world’s largest known single concentration of combined copper, uranium, gold and silver mineralisation. It was discovered by drilling in 1975 below 300m of barren cover rocks. This single mine now accounts for more than 60% of the value of the South Australia’s mineral resource production which is comparable to the impact of the Moonta-Wallaroo mines on the State’s economy.
Bibliography of South Australian Mining History
The Bibliography of South Australian Mining History is taken from the Bibliography of Australian Mining History (published in 2002 and updated to 2010).
South Australian Mining History Websites
- SARIG website
SARIG provides database searching of geoscientific databases for minerals and petroleum information.
These databases which provide indexes to collections produced and managed by DSD Minerals and Energy Resources Group. In many cases they allow downloading of an electronic copy of the record. Copies can be ordered if required. Images may be published with appropriate permission.
The databases include:
Photos – provides a representative selection of South Australian photos depicting the mining industry dating back to the late 1800s.
Plans – provides an index to 70,000 plans including many historic mines and tenement plans.
Publications and Reports – contains about 30,000 references to publications, company exploration reports and selected articles in third party journals.
Mines and Deposits Database – provides an index to more than 8000 historic and operating mines, quarries, prospects etc. Mines can be located on the SARIG MAP by selecting from the Mines and Mineral Deposits layer.
- DSD Minerals Former Mines website
The Mine Completion Group continues a comprehensive program that manages several former (historic) mine sites and addresses issues of environmental and public safety. Currently the sites managed by DSD Minerals Group are the Brukunga Mine Site, Port Pirie Treatment Plant and Radium Hill Mine. - State Library of South Australia
The State Library photo collection contains several thousand digital images of mines and mining towns in South Australia many of which are also in the PIRSA Photo Database. Select Pictorial from the View Entire Collection drop down box. - Flinders Ranges Research
This company undertakes research, evaluates information, presents reports and writes material for publication of South Australian History, in particular mining. Summary histories of many historic mines are provided.
South Australian Mining History Groups
- Burra History Group
The Burra History Group provides information on the historic mining town of Burra including useful references, web links, and online databases as well as assisting with family history research. - Coober Pedy Historical Society
The Coober Pedy Historical Society promotes the history of the opal mining town of Coober Pedy and outlying districts through the acquisition, preservation and display of historical materials and the identification and conservation of heritage sites. - Kapunda Historical Society
A main aim of the Society is to preserve and promote the history of the Kapunda Mine (1844-1877).
Contact: Box 332, Kapunda SA 5373 - Moonta National Trust
The Moonta National Trust runs the Family History Resource Centre which is located in the former Moonta School of Mines. This houses a comprehensive collection of local and family history resource documents including local and State newspapers on microfilm. Local historians can also help with family or local history research. - Radium Hill Historical Association
The Association aims to establish and preserve the historical and cultural heritage of the Radium Hill mine, townsite, cemetery and museum; and to promote the interests of former Radium Hill residents and families in the historic and cultural significance of Radium Hill.
Other Mining History Groups
- Australasian Mining History Association (AMHA)
The AMHA promotes and coordinates activities and programs relating to Australasian mining history, as well as encouraging the study, discussion and publication of this fascinating history.
The AMHA also aims to encourage the identification and preservation of records, sites, relics and materials relevant to Australasian mining.
- American Mining History Association (MHA)
The American Mining History Association(MHA is an organization of individuals interested in the history of mining and metallurgy. Members include independent scholars, laypersons, college and university professors, historians, miners, geologists, retired mining industry personnel, and many others.