Broken Hill Mining History

‘Line of Lode’ memorial to the miners who lost their lives

I’d never thought about what the initials in BHP stood for but now realise it’s the Broken Hill Proprietary Company Ltd.   The company was formed in 1883 after a boundary rider discovered what he thought was tin but turned out to be silver.  Broken Hill became known as the Silver City and in 1907 was the second largest settlement in NSW after Sydney.  Many people became wealthy but it was the miners who paid the price.

Each has their name, date of death and cause of death engraved on a glass plate.  There must be almost 1,000 names.   Most were killed in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Mining is still big business in Broken Hill today.

 

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