Australia calls for abandoned mining sites to be given world heritage listing
The abandoned Cornish Mining sites are one step closer to being added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Australia has moved to list two distinct abandoned mine sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The remote Cornish Mining sites in the Mid-North and on the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia began operating in the 1840s and produced an estimated 350,000 tonnes of copper.
The tentative listing of the remaining buildings and surrounding landscape along the South Australian coast is the first step in seeing them protected alongside the Sydney Opera House and Great Barrier Reef. Although it’s likely the latter will eventually be listed as 'in danger' as climate change is rapidly killing the natural wonder.
Stunning photos provided to Yahoo News highlight the empty buildings that tower above deep mining scars in the landscape from an operation that persisted for more than 80 years. The mines are now filled with water. The towering smoke stack beside the Hughes Engine House at Moonta that was constructed in the mid-1860s is particularly striking. The facility was used to keep the underground mine sites dry.
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Why were the Cornish Mining sites abandoned?
The sites which closed in 1923 after copper prices tanked became ghost towns. Today they are preserved by the National Trust of South Australia, which keeps them open to the public. And they are already inscribed on the Australian National Heritage List.
In announcing the Heritage listing plan, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said, “Burra and Moonta were at the forefront of deep mining practices, especially the creative application of steam power.”
“A World Heritage listing would help preserve and protect these precious sites, to be enjoyed by our kids and grandkids.”
Even today, mining is deemed by governments to be one of Australia’s most important export industries. The Albanese Government is continuing to support and consider new gas and coal projects around the country.
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Why are the Cornish Mining sites important?
The Cornish Mining sites are important to the world because they showcased new Cornish hard-rock mining and Welsh smelting technologies that allowed the region to be exploited for its mineral deposits. The region became known as the Copper Triangle and because of its success by 1865, Cornish settlers are believed to have constituted over 42 per cent of the state’s immigrant population.
South Australia’s environment minister Susan Close said she was “delighted” the mining site was a step closer to being listed.
“As a result of these mines, Cornish culture, language and literature has remained throughout this region, and we are proud to preserve and protect Burra and Moonta, Australia’s Little Cornwall,” she said.
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