Who owned Wittenoom asbestos mine?
Who owned Wittenoom asbestos mine?
Mining moved to Wittenoom Gorge in 1943. * The mining magnate, Lang Hancock, was one of a number of people involved in the early development of the site. He sold his interest to the CSR subsidiary, Australian Blue Asbestos Pty Ltd in 1943. * Health concerns about asbestos dust were raised as early as 1943.
What happened to Wittenoom mine?
During the 1950s and early 1960s Wittenoom was Australia’s only supplier of blue asbestos. The mine was shut down in 1966 due to unprofitability and growing health concerns from asbestos mining in the area. The former townsite no longer receives government services.
Can you still go to Wittenoom?
Key points: Blue asbestos is still on the ground and in the air at Wittenoom, posing a serious health risk. Visitors continue to travel to the area, despite being warned not to. The WA government has introduced a bill to acquire the remaining privately held properties and start the clean-up.
What resources were being mined in Wittenoom?
From 1950 until the early 1960s Wittenoom was Australia’s only supplier of asbestos with around 161,000 tons being mined. During that time, approximately 20,000 people lived and worked in the town.
How many died at Wittenoom?
2000
The Wittenoom Tragedy In Summary To date more than 2000 of the workers and residents of Wittenoom have died from Asbestos Diseases.
How many died in Wittenoom?
2,000 deaths
About 20,000 people lived there in its heyday throughout the 1930s to 1966, carting around deadly blue asbestos. More than 2,000 deaths have been linked to the mining activity at Wittenoom and the whole town is a declared contaminated site.
How many people died Wittenoom?
The Wittenoom Tragedy In Summary To date more than 2000 of the workers and residents of Wittenoom have died from Asbestos Diseases.
Can you camp at Wittenoom?
There are camping spots down by the rivers. Some of the tracks are easy to follow, some are not. If you aren’t in a high clearance four wheel drive, then I’d advise just driving the first few kilometres into Wittenoom Gorge itself and finding a cool spot to set up the tent for the night.
What was asbestos used for in Wittenoom?
Wittenoom crocidolite was used extensively in asbestos-cement products in Western Australia. As a result, the state has recorded a higher malignant-mesothelioma mortality rate than in any other Australian state and in any defined general population in the world.
What is blue asbestos used for?
Crocidolite (blue asbestos) was commonly used to insulate steam engines. It was also used in some spray-on coatings, pipe insulation, plastics and cement products. Anthophyllite was used in limited quantities for insulation products and construction materials.
Where is asbestos mined today?
Currently Active Asbestos Mines The world’s biggest producers in order of asbestos production include Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Brazil and Zimbabwe. Russia produced 790,000 metric tons of asbestos in 2020 and Kazakhstan produced 210,000 metric tons.
Is asbestos mined?
Asbestos is a natural mineral which is mined from the earth’s surface and is now known to be a toxic material linked to breathing disabilities and lung cancer’s such as mesothelioma.