Local Government
Bridgetown-Greenbushes
Region
South West
Location
Greenbushes
Location Details
Construction Date
Constructed from 1888, Constructed from 1899
Demolition Year
2003Statutory Heritage Listings
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage List | Adopted | 28 Nov 2019 |
Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Other Heritage Listings and Surveys
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 28 Jun 2001 | Category 2 | |
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 29 Mar 2018 | Management Category B | |
Statement of Significance
The Cornwall Pit is of historic and research value, and was once of great social importance. Aesthetic Value NA Historic Value The Cornwall Pit is historic as the first large scale Tantalum pit in Australia. Research Value The Cornwall Pit is of research value as a world class ore body and a highly mineralised pegmatite which is geologically significant on a global scale. Social Value The Cornwall Pit continues to be a significant focus of mining activities at the Greenbushes Mine, employing a large number of people in the district and further afield, therefore having a high social value. An interpretive viewing area above the pit is easily accessed by the public, to learn about the minerals and processes of extraction. As a tourism attraction of learning value, it continues to have social value.
Physical Description
The pit is 265m deep with a further 200m of underground development beneath the pit. Cornwall main shaft was sunk in 1907 to a depth of 205 feet.
History
This site was originally mined by dredging for surface deposits of tin and tantalum. By 10 August 1899, when the mine was officially opened by the Greenbushes Tin Development Company, the shaft was already “98 ft deep and the lode in places running 8ft to 12ft wide”. By 1974 surface deposits were dwindling. With the inception of large scale mining machinery, more aggressive exploration methods were possible and drill and blast methods were introduced, with the large scale removal of mineral and waste made possible by hydraulic excavators and 150 tonne dump trucks. In January 1999, the Cornwall Pit was 150 metres deep, and in 2003 excavation ceased at a depth of 265 metres.
Integrity/Authenticity
Medium Although the Cornwall Pit is not currently active, it remains an open cut pit (mine) which is viewed by many tourists each year. High
Condition
NA
References
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gwalia Greenbushes Operations Company Information Booklet | |||
| Talison Lithium Pty Ltd Staff | |||
| (trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper) | |||
| Southern Times pg.3 | 12/08/1989 | ||
| http://investorintel.com/technology-metals-intel/ | mt-marion-lithium-super-pit-making/ |
Other Reference Numbers
| Ref Number | Description |
|---|---|
| No.G24 | MI Place No. |
| - | Assess No (Shire Ref) |
Place Type
Historic site
Uses
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | MINING | Other |
| Present Use | MINING | Other |
Historic Themes
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| OCCUPATIONS | Mining {incl. mineral processing} |
Creation Date
14 May 1997Publish place record online (inHerit):
ApprovedLast Update
27 Apr 2021Disclaimer
This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.