From 1894 to the present day, in Western Australia the ‘Department of Mines and Petroleum’ merged with the Department of Minerals and Energy in 2001, AKA The Department of Mines, have produced an annual report on all aspects of mining. These not only provide a current valuable record for future planning but also provide an excellent historic record of Western Australia. All types of mining are covered by the reports but also have lots of information you may not expect from this type of document such as population details, number of men, women and children. Types of and number of different business and services in a particular area. Weather and rainfall details. The availability of drinking water and the current state of roads. Many contain the wonderfully detailed maps and sketches and some wonderful photographs of many mining areas, towns and people. Details on shares in mines and the cost of each share. How much land was devoted to mining and the general geological condition of every part of the state. Even liquor licences are listed. The detail that many of the reports go into is minute.
First drawing to appear in a report during 1894
The earlier the report the more detailed the information available. If you have never before browsed any of these reports I am sure you will find it fascinating reading. Even if you only have a passing interest in mining itself you will still find these reports of great interest from a history point of view. Should you wish to view an particular year they are all available on line at the following address:- http://bit.ly/2j4KjXg
First drawing done from a photograph 1896
Just from the point of view of mining accidents, I have been reviewing the first 10 yrs, and I intend to to a review of each years pertaining to mine deaths as I go along noting what information is available in each edition. Although similar in format each year can be different from the previous as to the content and the order it appears.
The most detailed year of all would be the second edition in 1895.
The Darkest 10 yrs:-
1894 – No mention of deaths, there is also a 6mth interim report for this year. Wonderful descriptions of the first areas opened up for gold mining. WAVMM has 3 deaths.
1895 – Total Fatalities 418 This amount of detail on the cause of deaths is not repeated an any subsequent year. Up to the 1960’s it was common for any death from accident which occurred on a mining lease to be reported no matter what the cause. 1895 is the only year I have found that includes disease. There are a number of incidences in later reports when children have been included in the statistics who have died as a result of an accident on a minesite. No particulars as to dates, the name of the mines or the names of the victims.
Disease – 399
Drought or Starvation- 1
Suicide- 6
Statistics on number of deaths 1896
Accident 9
Drowning 2
Homicide 1
WAVMM has 7 deaths
1896 Total Fatalities 18 approx 20,200 miners on the Goldfields. WAVMM has 25 deaths
For the first time the date, name of mine and the names of the victims their injuries and the cause of the accident stated both for fatalities and injuries.
1897 Total Fatalities 27 Injured 71, Full particulars give as in 1896. WAVMM has 35 deaths
1207 new mining lease applications made
Salisbury GM Cue-Murchison 1905
- 1898 Total Fatalities 5 Full particulars give as in 1896. WAVMM has found 37 deaths
- 1899 Total Fatalities 44 No particulars no names listed. WAVMM has found 50 deaths
- 1900 Total Fatalities 45 No particulars no names listed. WAVMM has found 38 deaths
- 1901 Total Fatalities 45 No particulars no names listed. WAVMM has found 42 deaths
- 1902 Total Fatalities 39 No particulars no names listed. WAVMM has found 36 deaths
- 1903 Total Fatalities 43 No particulars no names listed. WAVMM has found 38 deaths
- 1904 Total Fatalities 42 No particulars no names listed. WAVMM has found 41 deaths
- 1905 Total Fatalities 34 No particulars no names listed. WAVMM has found 36 deaths
Map 1897
Never again have the awful number of lives lost reached these high numbers consistantly but many years came close to these figures until new safety measure gradually brought in started to take effect. It weasnt until after WW1 that the number reduced consistently.
Wages and Cost of Living 1898
Moya Sharp
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