This week marks the milestone anniversary since the closure of the South Mine in Broken Hill.
It has been five decades since operations ceased at the site after diminishing profits forced the shutdown.
Don Mudie, a Broken Hill Historical Society member, said it was a “sad time” in the town’s history.
Mr Mudie worked at South Mine between 1951-1963 as an electrical fitter. His father, uncles and cousin were also employed at the mine.
“I’m very thankful to the South Mine for having been there,” he said.
“I was given responsible jobs. It taught me how to think for myself.”
According to the book Broken Hill 1940-1983, written by R.H.B Kearns, the South Mine had its origin in the pegging in August 1884 of blocks five, six and seven by the Maiden brothers of Menindee.
Broken Hill South Silver Mining Company Limited was floated on the Sydney Stock Exchange in September of the following year and a month after ‘Captain’ W.H. Morish became the first manager.
In 1888, the South Mine decided to dispose of block five to a company formed to take over the lease known as Block 5 Silver Mining Company Limited.
The Block 5 company soon foundered and the South Mine repurchased the lease.
In the same year, funds were running low. The company increased its share capital a year later and by 1981, had encountered high grade carbonate ore on the 300 and 350 feet levels.
A lead smeltery was constructed on the South’s lease in hopeful anticipation of the intersection of the main Broken Hill orebody.
Income exceeded expenditure for the first time in 1890 and shareholders received their first dividend in 1897.
A strike in 1892 that caused a cessation of operations resulted in the gradual closing of the South’s smelters. The final furnace was drawn in 1984.
The South Mine disposed of the Block 5 lease again in 1900 which led to the creation of the Zinc Corporation Limited a few years later.
In 1918, the company’s share capital was increased and the organisation was registered as Broken Hill South Limited.
In 1931, the South Mine was one of the first mines in the field to convert its steam-driven winding engines to electrically operated units.
Seven years later, a warning was issued at the annual shareholder’s general meeting that all known ore reserves were determined based on production at that time.
The life of South Mine was limited to 11 years. A similar statement was made at the annual meeting in 1947.
In November 1970, the company’s chairman Sir Lindesay Clarke, reported that ore reserves had dwindled and that the end was near.
The company sustained considerable losses over the next two years with metal prices at the low end.
On Friday, 7 April 1972, the Barrier Daily Truth reported that the South Mine was set to close, putting over 700 people out of work. On 7 July 1972, the South Mine was closed.
