First BHP Offices Chimney Ruin
| Company type | Public company (historical) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Mining |
| Founded | June 1885 |
| Founder | Syndicate of Seven (Charles Rasp, David James, James Poole, George McCulloch, George Urquhart, George Lind, Philip Charley) |
| Fate | Merged into BHP Billiton in 2001 |
| Headquarters | Broken Hill , Australia |
| Products | Silver ore mining |
| Parent | BHP Billiton (from 2001) |
The BHP First Offices Chimney Ruin represents the heritage-listed remains of the original administrative building for BHP in Broken Hill, situated in the far western region of New South Wales, Australia. Erected in 1885 by builders Tom Phin and A. W. B. Orman, these offices were located on what is currently known as Willyama Common, positioned eastward of Gaffney and Oxide Streets within Proprietary Square. Ownership of the site belongs to the Broken Hill City Council, and it was officially entered into the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 23 April 2010. The heritage listing also acknowledges the location as the Site of first BHP Offices, including BHP Fireplaces and Chimney ruins.
Origins of Broken Hill
The settlement of Broken Hill arose on territory originally utilized for sheep grazing at Mount Gipps Station. In 1883, Charles Rasp, David James, and James Poole—employees under George McCulloch—secured the initial mineral lease over an area called the "Broken Hill Paddock," a name given by explorer Charles Sturt in 1844.
Subsequently, six additional mineral leases were claimed along the Line of Lode. Joining forces with McCulloch, Rasp, James, and Poole were George Urquhart, George Lind, and Philip Charley, collectively forming the Syndicate of Seven. In 1885, Charley’s discovery of silver on his lease accelerated development. The township survey commenced on 27 August 1884 by E. H. Dawson amid very limited infrastructure.
Initial buildings included residences and commercial premises such as Delamore's Hotel (relocated from Lake's Camp), Sully's Emporium, the Silver King Hotel, alongside various shops and service establishments lining Argent Street. Originally a shantytown with provisional shelters like "Canvas Town," Broken Hill rapidly transformed into a thriving mining hub.
The boundaries defining the "Town of Willyama" were officially proclaimed on 24 August 1887. The Municipal District of Broken Hill was formed on 24 September 1888, covering Willyama, Alma, and surrounding territories. It attained City status by proclamation on 24 July 1907.
The Chimney
The group holding seven mining leases at Broken Hill established their enterprise as the Broken Hill Mining Company. After uncovering rich silver deposits in early 1885, they appointed William Jamieson as manager in April that year and formally registered Broken Hill Proprietary Co. Ltd in June 1885. The chimney signifies the location where Tom Phin and W. B. Orman constructed a hut in May 1885 to accommodate Jamieson. Situated at the Line of Lode—the mineral-rich rocky ridge—it briefly functioned as BHP’s initial works office where foundational mining activities were managed. Although Jamieson resigned by the end of that year, he was instrumental in planning the mine’s early development, including establishing the first smelting facilities. This chimney remains as the sole surviving element of that original 1885 building, symbolizing both mining operations' inception and town establishment at Broken Hill.
No photographic records exist depicting this original BHP office hut.
By 1888, wooden housing for staff and a stone office had been constructed approximately 500 metres northwest within Block 14 Mine; by the 1890s all employee accommodations were centralized at Proprietary Square.
Despite its ruined state by 1908, the chimney was recognized as a historically significant site where pioneering company figures lived and worked beneath a large tent that served as an early office space. It was here that critical mining block plans were drafted. To preserve it, BHP installed a wooden fence surrounding the chimney.
BHP ended its operations in Broken Hill in 1939. In 2001, it merged into BHP Billiton, which has become one of the world’s largest resource corporations.
This chimney stands as an emblem of BHP’s foundation—a company integral to Australia’s mining and industrial progress.
Situated on Crown land designated for Temporary Common (Willyama Common) and administered by Broken Hill City Council, this site lies within Consolidated Mining Lease No. 7 held by CBH Resources Pty Ltd; there are no plans for surface mining at this location.
Since 1907, the upper portion of the chimney has undergone reconstruction and has been modestly sheltered by a tin roof supported on timber posts. In 2008, under heritage oversight from the council, it was repointed and equipped with interpretive signage for educational purposes.
Description
The chimney represents the only surviving fragment of a worker's cottage, now in ruins. Built from an assortment of stone and brick, it is safeguarded beneath a corrugated iron roof supported by four metal poles and enclosed by a wire mesh fence.
A weather-beaten metal plaque reads:
- 'This fireplace constructed by Tom Phin and A.W.B. Orman in 1885 forms part of the first office of the B.H.P.'
An interpretative sign installed in 2008 provides further context:
- 'This stone chimney identifies the location of the hut erected by the Broken Hill Mining Company (later known as BHP) in May 1885 to accommodate its inaugural manager, William Jamieson. The structure briefly functioned as BHP’s original works office, where all mining operations were managed. In 2001, BHP merged into BHP Billiton, becoming the largest resources company globally. This site marks the birthplace of BHP, a company integral to Australia’s mining and industrial growth.
- 'Around 1907, BHP added a wooden railing to protect the chimney; its upper portion has since been reconstructed and covered.
- 'No photographs exist of the original hut; however, a historic image depicts its position within the active Line of Lode mining district.
- '[Caption] BHP SOUTH SMELTERS 1888: Photograph taken near Oxide and Chrystal streets showing the chimney site in the foreground with a small hut partially hidden by a tree. (Rasp Memorial Library).
- 'The initial syndicate of seven held seven mining leases at Broken Hill and named their enterprise Broken Hill Mining Company. After discovering rich silver ore in early 1885, they appointed Jamieson as manager in April. Within two weeks, Jamieson, alongside workers Alf Orman and Tom Phin, established a camp at the base of Block 14, constructing Broken Hill’s first buildings—today, only this chimney remains.
- 'The syndicate formalized Broken Hill Proprietary Co. Ltd in June 1885; Jamieson resigned later that year after planning initial mine development and overseeing construction of the first smelters onsite. By 1888, wooden staff residences and a stone office were built approximately 500 meters northwest as part of Block 14 Mine. By the 1890s, all employee housing was consolidated at Proprietary Square. BHP ceased operations at Broken Hill in 1939.'
As of December 2009, following conservation efforts including stone repointing carried out in 2008, the chimney remains structurally sound with updated interpretative signage.
Heritage listing
The BHP Chimney Ruin of First Offices stands as the final vestige of the original office facilities used by BHP, one of the globe’s foremost mining and resource companies. Initially part of an early miner’s dwelling in Broken Hill, it served as BHP’s first works office when known as Broken Hill Mining Company. This chimney symbolizes the foundation of BHP—a company that significantly influenced Australia’s mining industry, industrial expansion, and immigration policies. Constructed in May 1885, it coincides with the commencement of mining activity and development of Broken Hill as a remote inland settlement.
The BHP Chimney Ruin of First Offices was officially entered on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 23 April 2010 after satisfying important heritage criteria.
Historical significance
This chimney holds historical importance as the only remaining element from BHP’s initial offices, illustrating the company’s foundational contribution to Australia’s mining sector. Originally part of a worker’s cottage converted into the first works office, it was built by Tom Phin and W.B. Orman in 1885 and marks the beginning of mining operations at Broken Hill.
Association with BHP
The site is deeply connected to BHP’s origins—a company pivotal to Australia’s mining and industrial progress. The chimney serves as a physical reminder of early company activities conducted within the cottage it once heated.
Bibliography
- Elizabeth Vines on behalf of Broken Hill City Council (2009), SHR Nomination for BHP Fireplace
- Jenny Camilleri (2009), Correspondence with Patricia Assad from the Heritage Branch
- Leonard Samuel Curtis (1908), The History of Broken Hill
- Roberta J. Drewery (1985), Streets of History: The Origins of Our Street Names, Broken Hill, NSW