The Koolyanobbing iron ore mine in Western Australia, one of the state's oldest and a key player in its mining history, has officially closed. The final train carrying ore from the site departed for Esperance Port, marking the end of decades of operation. While the closure signals the end of an era, there are hopes for the future, with potential for the mine's revival on an even larger scale.
Koolyanobbing was one of WA's first iron ore mines and a catalyst for the state's transition to standard gauge rail in the 1960s.One of Western Australia's oldest iron ore mines, and a chapter in its transformation into a global mining heavyweight, has officially closed with the final trainload carrying ore from the state's Yilgarn region.At the heart of the Yilgarn for decades has been the rich deposits at Koolyanobbing, about 430 kilometres east of Perth .
In the Indigenous Kaalamaya language of the Kaprun people, Koolyanobbing means the 'place of large rocks'. It perfectly describes WA's Yilgarn, where iron ore has been mined on and off since the 1950s — the same decade the late Lang Hancock famously discovered rich deposits in the state's Pilbara. Mining and haulage operations finished at Koolyanobbing in early December and at other sites just before Christmas. This week's final iron ore train arrived at Esperance Port, on WA's south coast, without fanfare ahead of shipment overseas. While the last trainload marks the end of an era, there are hopes Mr Hancock's daughter, Gina Rinehart, could eventually revive iron ore mining in the Yilgarn on an even bigger scale.Kalgoorlie prospector Lindsay Stockdale spent decades as a builder before retiring in 1990 to spend more time in the bush searching for gold. It was that same pioneering spirit that saw the apprentice carpenter living in a tent in 1965 while working on the construction of a new mining town called Koolyanobbing.Mr Stockdale's brief stint at Koolyanobbing involved building the local school in a community where the population peaked at nearly 500 in the early 1980s. The town site, which emerged out of the bush landscape, also included a swimming pool, general store, golf club, bowling green, and town hall.'Driving an FJ Holden ute, a two-wheel drive into those bloody hills and then getting out with hand tools and mixing concrete by hand … it was hard work but I loved it
IRON ORE MINING WESTERN AUSTRALIA KOOLYANOBBING PERTH GINA RINEHART
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cartoonist Leunig's Death Marks End of an Era in Australian ArtThe death of renowned Australian cartoonist Michael Leunig is being mourned as the passing of a movement. Leunig's fearless and honest work spanned decades, influencing generations of artists and readers.
Read more »
LeBron James' 40th Birthday: The End of an Era?LeBron James celebrates his 40th birthday, marking a milestone in his historic NBA career. While he's showing signs of his past dominance, questions linger about how much longer he'll play.
Read more »
Bellamy appointment proves State of Origin is entering its Victorian eraCraig Bellamy is the latest Melbourne Storm staffer added to the NSW brains trust, giving the traditional battle between blue and maroon a distinctly purple tinge.
Read more »
Bellamy appointment proves State of Origin is entering its Victorian eraCraig Bellamy is the latest Melbourne Storm staffer added to the NSW brains trust, giving the traditional battle between blue and maroon a distinctly purple tinge.
Read more »
Trump's Unconventional Appointments Echo Roman Era UnrestTrump's selection of Kash Patel to head the FBI and his ongoing conflict with what he terms the 'deep state' highlight the controversial and performative nature of his second term appointments, drawing parallels with the era of Emperor Caligula.
Read more »
‘I hope this haunts you’: Kate Winslet says Titanic-era body-shamers were ‘absolutely appalling’The star of new Lee Miller biopic reveals that though she never publicly called out critics for what was an everyday occurrence at the time, in private she ‘let them have it’
Read more »