Mount Bischoff Mine
Waratah, Waratah district, Waratah-Wynyard municipality, Tasmania, Australia
Key Information
Do not enter mining areas without proper authorization.
Mount Bischoff Mine is in Waratah, northwest Tasmania, Australia, near Savage River National Park.
It’s famous for tin (cassiterite) and has over 134 minerals, including rare ones like morinite and sellaite.
The geology involves Precambrian sedimentary rocks and Devonian igneous dykes, with tin formed through hydrothermal processes.
Mining started in 1871, used sluicing and later open-cut methods, and closed in 1947, with a revival in the 2000s.
Waratah, the supporting town, was first in Australia with electric street lights in 1886 and has a rich mining heritage.
The climate is cold and wet, with snow in winter, and it’s near the biodiverse Tarkine rainforest.
Geographic Location
Mount Bischoff Mine is located in Waratah, a small town in the northwest of Tasmania, Australia. Tasmania, an island state off Australia’s southeast coast, is known for its natural beauty and unique wildlife. Waratah sits about 205 km west of Launceston and 377 km northwest of Hobart, nestled adjacent to Savage River National Park, part of the vast Tarkine wilderness. This area features rugged terrain and dense forests, making it a scenic spot for mineral enthusiasts.
Minerals Produced
The mine is primarily known for tin, extracted as cassiterite, which was its economic backbone. However, it’s a mineral collector’s paradise with over 134 different minerals identified, including rare and attractive ones like morinite (a type locality here), sellaite, franckeite, chondrodite, norbergite, wagnerite, and fluoborite. These uncommon minerals add an unexpected layer of interest, showcasing the mine’s geological complexity.
Geological Structure
The geological setting is a fascinating mix of Precambrian sedimentary rocks—quartzite, shale, and dolostone—intruded by Devonian quartz-feldspar porphyry dykes and breccia dykes, linked to the nearby Meredith granite. Tin mineralization occurs through replacement of dolomite, greisenised dykes, and veins, formed by hydrothermal activity. This process created magnesian skarns, known for their unique mineral assemblages, offering a deeper look into the earth’s transformative processes.
Mining History
Discovered in 1871 by James “Philosopher” Smith, Mount Bischoff Mine sparked a mining boom in western Tasmania. Initial operations used pick and shovel, with ore transported by bullock carts to Emu Bay. The Mount Bischoff Tin Mining Company later employed sluicing, powered by water from Waratah’s waterfall, and in 1883, it became one of Australia’s first sites with hydro-electric lighting. Mining evolved to open-cut and underground methods, closing in 1947 after nationalization during World War II, with a revival in the 2000s by Metals X Limited for blending with Renison Bell ore.
Local Culture and Characteristics
Waratah, built to support the mine, is steeped in mining history and was the first Australian town with electric street lights in 1886. Historical sites like the Athenaeum Hall, housing the Tarkine Interpretation Centre, and the Philosopher’s Hut, a replica of Smith’s hut, reflect its past. The Bischoff Hotel, a heritage-listed Edwardian building, and the Waratah Courthouse Museum offer glimpses into pioneer life. With a population of around 249, the town’s culture is tightly knit, centered on its mining legacy.
Climate and Ecology
Waratah has a cold oceanic climate, often below 10°C even in summer, with frequent snow in winter and spring. It’s one of Tasmania’s coldest and wettest spots, at about 600 meters above sea level. Ecologically, it’s adjacent to Savage River National Park, part of the Tarkine rainforest, known for ancient trees and rare species, enhancing the area’s natural allure.