Coalfields at Burrum

The discovery of coal on the southern bank of the Burrum River in 1863 signalled the beginning of rapid development in the Burrum district.

The history of the Burrum coalfields is not known by many Queenslanders and even less by interstate visitors. The number of mines in the region, and the dates of the mine closures are questions most often asked.

 The excavation of the first small tunnel mine on the south bank of the Burrum in 1865  grew to approximately 94 tunnels and shafts.  Of these, in 1990 the Burgowan No. 12 mine is the only one still operational.

The total amount of coal taken from the Burrum district between 1865 – 1968 was in excess of 8,000,000 tonnes. It is claimed that just as much saleable coal still remains below today. For many years Queensland Colliery shaft No. 15 was the best known of the Burrum mines, but the long running Burgowan No. 7 later took over the role.  This mine also became known as the biggest single producer. However, the No. 12 mine finally overtook the title.

Other main producers on the Burrum, such as the Queensland Collieries company, were best known in connection with the Rankin family. Their last mine closed in 1966. The Stafford family ran Howard collieries for another two years, finally paying off their last employees from the Globe mine in 1968. Burgowan in 1963 still had four mines, Nos 7, 11, 12, and 13 in operation. All except No. 12 were gone by 1968.

References

 Valli, Jack 1990. “Coalfields at Burrum.” Hervey Bay Chronicle, September 13

 China Johnson, Early Coalmining Map p19, Memories Burrum Heads