Moonta Mines, South Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Moonta Mines South Australia
Map of Moonta Mines pre-1923 (click to enlarge)
Moonta Mines Location in South Australia
Postcode(s)	5558
LGA(s)	Copper Coast Council
State electorate(s)	Goyder
Federal Division(s)	Grey
Localities around Moonta Mines: Moonta Moonta Yelta Kooroona Hamley Moonta Mines East Moonta Nalyappa Agery Agery
Footnotes	Coordinates

Moonta Mines is a special place in South Australia. It's located at the top of the Yorke Peninsula. This area is right next to the town of Moonta.

From 1861 to 1923, Moonta Mines was a very important copper mining center. It was the biggest mining business in South Australia at that time. Today, a large part of Moonta Mines is protected. It's listed on the South Australian Heritage Register as the Moonta Mines State Heritage Area. It's also on the National Heritage List as an Australian Cornish Mining Heritage Site. This means it's a place of great historical value.

History of Moonta Mines

Hughes's enginehouse, similar to Richman's enginehouse in the photo below

Richman's Plant in the 1890s. This shows the copper ore processing plant, workers, and two steam locomotives.

The Discovery of Copper

In May 1861, a shepherd named Patrick "Paddy" Ryan found copper. He found it on land belonging to Sir Walter Hughes near Moonta. This discovery changed everything for the area.

Starting the Mines

The Tiparra Mining Association began mining in 1862. This company later became the Moonta Mining Company. The copper found here was very rich and easy to get. This made the mines very successful. Many miners came from Cornwall in England to work here.

In 1863, the government planned the town of Moonta. This created a difference between the people who lived in Moonta and the miners who lived in Moonta Mines. In 1864, the Moonta miners went on a big strike. They were concerned about how the mining was being done.

A Thriving Mining Town

By 1875, the Moonta Mines were so successful that Moonta became the second largest town in South Australia. It was also the biggest copper mining area in the entire British Empire. Moonta Mines itself had about 5,000 people living there.

In 1876, the Moonta Mining Company made history. It was the first mining company in Australia to pay out one million pounds in profits. However, life for many people was difficult.

The Mines Close

By the 1880s, copper prices started to fall. This made it harder for the mines to make money. In 1889, the Moonta Mining Company joined with the owners of Wallaroo Mines. They formed a new company called the Wallaroo and Moonta Mining and Smelting Co. Ltd.

The mine finally closed in 1923. After this, the population of Moonta Mines dropped a lot. However, some parts of the mining works were used until 1943. In 1984, the Moonta Mines State Heritage Area was officially recognized. The modern area of Moonta Mines was formally set up in 1999.

Industrial Railway at Moonta Mines

The Moonta Mines used a special narrow gauge railway. A steam locomotive ran on a 2 ft 9 in (838 mm) wide track. This train carried materials between Taylor's Shaft and Richman's Plant. The locomotive was built in 1889 in Manchester, England. It was later changed to a 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) wide track. Around 1911, it was sold to a sawmill company in Victoria.

Moonta Mines Today

The Moonta Mines Museum, which used to be the Moonta Mines Model School (1878–1968).

Today, the National Trust of South Australia helps preserve Moonta Mines. They run seven places as tourist attractions. These include:

• The National Trust Museum, located in the old Moonta Mines Model School.
• The Moonta Mines Tourist Railway, which offers guided tours of the old mining areas.
• The Moonta Mines Sweet Shop, in the former Post Office building.
• A restored miners' cottage and garden.
• The Hughes Enginehouse and Richmans Enginehouse, which were important parts of the mining operations.
• The Family History and Resource Centre, in the old School of Mines building.

The historic Moonta Mines Uniting Church is also still in use. It first opened in 1865 as the Wesleyan Methodist church. It holds weekly services and is open for visitors on certain days.

Heritage Listings

Moonta Mines has several places that are listed for their historical importance. These include:

• 557 Milne Street: Moonta Mines Uniting Church
• Moonta Mines Model Sunday School Site
• Verco Street: 1870 Miners' Cottage
• 487 Verran Terrace: Moonta Mines Model School
• Hughes Enginehouse and Chimney