Broken Hill: a mining history 1883-1983

Provides a history of the Broken Hill mining industry from 1883 to the present day, incorporating documentary footage and stills of the early days, as well as comments by historian Geoffrey Blainey. Notes the early strike; the impact of technology and science in the 1920s and 30s; the mass production of fighter aircraft by BHP in the 1930s; the opening of the silver-lead smelter at Port Pirie and the steel industry at Newcastle; the introduction of company housing, health schemes and lead bonuses in the 1950s and 60s; and the intensive exploratory drilling’s for further ore deposits in the 1970s and 80s. Photography by David Olney. Suitable for middle and upper secondary levels.