Cockatoo Island (Western Australia) facts for kids
Cockatoo Island approached by air from the south-west. The mine working along western edge of the island and the townsite at the northern end (left of photo) are visible.
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Quick facts for kids Geography |
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| Coordinates | 16°05′38″S 123°36′33″E / 16.0939142°S 123.6091835°E |
| Archipelago | Buccaneer |
| Adjacent bodies of water | Indian Ocean |
| Area | 12 sq mi (31 km2) |
Cockatoo Island is a cool island in the Buccaneer Archipelago off the coast of Western Australia. It's close to the town of Derby. For many years, people mined a special rock called iron ore here. This ore was used to make steel. The Broken Hill Proprietary Company (BHP) mined iron ore on the island from 1951 to 1984. A nearby island, Koolan Island, also had iron ore mining. More recently, a company called Pluton Resources mined here until 2015.
Contents
Discovering Cockatoo Island's Iron
People first knew about the iron rock on Cockatoo Island way back in the 1880s. Pearl divers even used it as heavy ballast on their boats. In 1928, a company called Australian Iron & Steel got the rights to mine the island's minerals. This company later became part of the Broken Hill Proprietary Company (BHP) in 1935.
Early Surveys and World War II
The island was first mapped in 1930. A more detailed survey happened in 1936. When World War II started, everyone left the island for safety. Mining work did not begin again until 1944.
Mining Operations Begin
By October 1945, over 100 workers were on Cockatoo Island. They started building a foundation for the processing plant. They also built a jetty and planned out a small town for the workers.
First Shipments of Iron Ore
Iron ore mining officially began in 1951. The very first ship to carry iron ore from the island was called the Iron Yampi. This ship was specially built for this job. It was one of four large ships made to transport the ore. The ore was then taken to Australian steelworks to be turned into steel. The Iron Kimberley was another one of these important ships.
Life in the Mining Town
In 1952, about 150 people lived on the island. By 1954, the mine was able to ship up to 2 million tonnes of iron ore each year. The town built by BHP had everything the workers and their families needed. It had a school, a movie theater, and even a small prison. BHP continued to run the mine and manage the town until 1984. By then, they had mined all the iron ore down to sea level.
New Life for the Island
In the 1980s, a businessman named Alan Bond and his wife, Eileen Bond, opened a tourist resort. They used the old mining village buildings for this. The resort later closed down. It was sold to a company called HWE Mining. This company used the chalets for their own workers.
Mining Below Sea Level
HWE Mining and Portman Mining Ltd started mining again in the 1990s. First, they re-processed old waste rock from BHP's time. Then, they built a strong wall to keep the sea out. This allowed them to start mining for iron ore even below sea level!
Recent Mining and Leases
In the 21st century, a company from Perth called Pluton Resources mined on the island. However, they stopped operating in September 2015. In 2020, a new company, Cockatoo Island Mining Pty Ltd, was given a lease for the island until 2032. This company has directors from Australia, India, Hong Kong, and mainland China. The lease was approved after being reviewed by the Foreign Investment Review Board. The island's location is near the Yampi Sound Training Area, which the Australian Defence Force uses for training.
