B.C. MUSEUM OF MINING

Britannia Beach, British Columbia
by Aja Chantelle

Admittedly, I am a bit of a geography nerd. When I was young, I used to collect rocks and gems, and my family used to buy me books about science and geography. Needless to say, this adventure was going to be right up my alley.

The B.C. Museum of Mining is in beautiful Britannia Beach, just 52 kilometers north of Vancouver. When I arrived at the B.C. Museum of Mining, the scenic beauty of the nearby snow capped mountains left me speechless. I was simply in awe at the view from the beach and I couldn’t wait to get inside the mine.

HISTORY

In 1888, a prospector by the name of Dr. Alexander Forbes went hunting on Britannia Mountain. After he shot a deer, the deer's hooves exposed mineralized rock below the moss and copper was discovered in this area. Eventually this would lead to a mine being built here in the early 1900s. The mine at Britannia Beach remained operational until 1974. Today it is a considered a National Historic Site of Canada where visitors like me can learn about the world of mining.

MY UNDERGROUND ADVENTURE

I met my tour guide Rory who is a historian of Britannia Mine. Rory is very passionate about the mine and its rich history. His energy was so refreshing and it got me really excited about exploring the mine. I was handed a hard hat and I anxiously entered the mine. The mine was cold and damp. Interestingly, the temperature inside this mine is always 12C/54F all year round regardless of what the weather is outside. Rory took me on a fun underground train ride through the mining tunnels.

It was real treat to ride past and see green copper mineralization on the surfaces of various rocks throughout the tunnels. Rory also showed me some of the early drills and tools used in Britannia. Perhaps the most interesting thing I encountered at the mine was the infamous, honey wagon. Don’t let the name fool you. There’s nothing sweet about this contraption. The honey wagon was essentially a portable toilet that a poor soul would have to push around the mine so that all the workers could do their “business”.

THE MILL (CONCENTRATOR)

The Mill is an impressive massive structure that stands over 230 feet high. There are 1,104 windows and 16,792 panes in this building. When you first enter the mill, you will definitely notice the 375 steps that lead up to the top of the mill. Imagine having to climb that set of stairs each day just to go to work! The mill’s main function was to separate the waste rock from the precious minerals. Using a gravity method, the ore was crushed from the size of beach balls to fine gravel by having it ingeniously move through a series of crushes at the different levels of the building. At its peak, the mill was producing over 6500 tons of ore per day.

FINAL THOUGHTS

What touched me the most about this adventure was learning about all the adversity that people here had to endure. In 1915, an avalanche killed 65 people and destroyed a small community called the Jane Camp. In 1921, mill #2 burnt down to the ground. Also in October of the same year, a massive flood destroyed a small community on the banks of Britannia Creek and took the lives of thirty seven people. In addition to all these lives lost, hundreds of men have passed away while working in the mines. There’s even a drilling machine nicknamed “The Widow Maker” because of the amount of husbands it took away from their wives.

My adventure in the BC Museum of Mining really opened my eyes to the blood, sweat and tears that went into the mining of copper. So much of what we use today require the use of this natural resource. It’s hard to imagine our lives without copper and I gained a new appreciation for what it takes to acquire this precious resource . I highly recommend that you take a trip to the mine with your family or friends to see firsthand how the early pioneers used to work and live. I guarantee that your visit will be a worthwhile and educational experience.

FUN FACTS

Mill at a glance:

• Designed and built in 18 months from 1922-1923
• Cost 1 million dollars in 1922 (close to $14 million in today’s dollar value)
• Processed up to 6500 tons of ore a day
• Is 209 feet wide by 271 feet deep, with the sidewalls rising at each stage from 50 feet to 70 feet. With eight stages in total the structure rises an overall 230 feet.
• Very efficiently removed over 90% of the copper in the ore.

ADVENTURE TIPS

• Most visits take approximately 1 1/2 hours
• The underground temperature is 12 C/54 F year round so bring a sweater or jacket even during the summer time.
• It would be a good idea to wear closed toe shoes to explore the mine. You also probably don’t want to wear your brand new pair of sneakers as you explore the mine. They will get dirty.
• Most days, the underground train leaves every 40 minutes on regularly scheduled times. Be at the tunnel entrance 5-7 minutes before the scheduled time. The train does not wait for latecomers.
• The BC Museum of Mining is Located at Britannia Beach on Highway 99 towards Whistler, 45 minutes from Vancouver, 52 km (32 miles) on the 'Sea-to-Sky' route.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

BC Museum of Mining
Telephone: 1-800-896-4044 ext.227
www.bcmuseumofmining.org

+ Part 1: RICHMOND CRANBERRY HARVEST
+ Part 2: BC MUSEUM OF MINING

+ Download PDF One-sheet
+ BC Museum of Mining