Rio Tinto | Minerals and Metals for the world

The Mining Hall Of Fame attracts tourists and other people of all ages keen to learn more about all facets of the mining industry, only about ten per cent of visitors coming from the Kalgoorlie region. Around 50 per cent of visitors come from Perth and elsewhere in the state, with international visitors (mainly from Europe) peaking in December/January each year.

Various galleries with different themes already operate in the main hall. Rio Tinto and the WA Lotteries Commission are now sponsoring the Exploration Zone, the new gallery opening this December. This will showcase "from exploration to mining", covering geology, and geologists' methods, whilst also featuring child centred teaching, where youngsters can learn about minerals and experience "hands on" building of crystal structures.

Another tourist project that has been approved by the local council will provide a treat for railway buffs and set up a very special link with the Hall of Fame.

In 1895, just two years after Hannan's gold discovery, a 3ft 6 in gauge railway from Perth reached Kalgoorlie, continuing in 1897 to Boulder, the twin town just south of Kalgoorlie, slightly closer to some of the newer mines. In those last few years of the nineteenth century Kalgoorlie was more important to the economy of Western Australia than Perth.

A network of railways developed, incorporating an inner and outer loop, linking the two towns and the adjacent mines. In the early 1900s this was the busiest railway in Australia, with as many as 61 trains a day running through Boulder Station. Even up to 1916 there were more trains daily from Kalgoorlie to Boulder than from Perth to its port city suburb of Fremantle. The advent of trams in the Goldfields towns was the beginning of the decline of the loop line, which finally closed completely in the 1970s, many locations having been lost to mining operations.



The Mining Hall Of Fame attracts tourists and other people of all ages keen to learn more about all facets of the mining industry, only about ten per cent of visitors coming from the Kalgoorlie region. Around 50 per cent of visitors come from Perth and elsewhere in the state, with international visitors (mainly from Europe) peaking in December/January each year. Various galleries with different themes already operate in the main hall. Rio Tinto and the WA Lotteries Commission are now sponsoring the Exploration Zone, the new gallery opening this December. This will showcase "from exploration to mining", covering geology, and geologists' methods, whilst also featuring child centred teaching, where youngsters can learn about minerals and experience "hands on" building of crystal structures. Another tourist project that has been approved by the local council will provide a treat for railway buffs and set up a very special link with the Hall of Fame. In 1895, just two years after Hannan's gold discovery, a 3ft 6 in gauge railway from Perth reached Kalgoorlie, continuing in 1897 to Boulder, the twin town just south of Kalgoorlie, slightly closer to some of the newer mines. In those last few years of the nineteenth century Kalgoorlie was more important to the economy of Western Australia than Perth. A network of railways developed, incorporating an inner and outer loop, linking the two towns and the adjacent mines. In the early 1900s this was the busiest railway in Australia, with as many as 61 trains a day running through Boulder Station. Even up to 1916 there were more trains daily from Kalgoorlie to Boulder than from Perth to its port city suburb of Fremantle. The advent of trams in the Goldfields towns was the beginning of the decline of the loop line, which finally closed completely in the 1970s, many locations having been lost to mining operations.
PAGE 4 OF 6

Review is published by Rio Tinto, 6 St James' Square, London SW1Y 4LD, England Telephone +44 (0)20 7930 2399 Editor: Cherry DeGeer