Rosebery, Tasmania
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Rosebery | |
|---|---|
Town | |
| Country | Australia |
| State | Tasmania |
| Local government area | West Coast Council |
| Established | 1893 (mining settlement) |
| Population (2016 census) | |
• Total | 752 |
| • Density | Template:Infobox settlement/densdisp |
| Time zone | UTC+10:00 (AEST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+11:00 (AEDT) |
Rosebery is a town situated on Tasmania's west coast, positioned at the northern tip of the West Coast Range, close to Mount Black and bordering the Pieman River, now known as Lake Pieman. It is located along the Murchison Highway, approximately 25 kilometres northeast of Zeehan, and falls under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of West Coast Council. According to the , Rosebery had a population of 752.[1] Between 1996 and 2001, the population experienced a 22% decrease.[2] The more recent western section along Lake Pieman's edge is referred to as Primrose.
History
Rosebery's origins lie in its establishment as a mining settlement. In 1893, prospector Tom McDonald uncovered gold and zinc-lead sulphide boulders on the slopes of Mount Black. He staked claims under the Rosebery Prospecting Association, which later became the Rosebery Gold Mining Company, named in honour of Lord Rosebery. The South Rosebery Mining Company was created to develop the southern ore deposit.
By 1896, the Rosebery Gold Mining Company had been renamed the Tasmanian Copper Company, while South Rosebery was rebranded as Primrose Mining Company. The Rosebery Post Office commenced operations on 1 November 1897.[3]
Sphalerite was the principal ore mineral; however, zinc processing technology was initially underdeveloped. The Tasmanian Metals Extraction Company (TME) constructed a plant near Williamsford in 1912 to trial zinc extraction methods but ceased operations in 1914 due to unsuccessful results.
In 1916, ownership transferred to Mount Lyell Mining and Railway company, which later merged with Electrolytic Zinc Company of Australasia (EZ), who perfected zinc extraction techniques. Construction of a processing mill at Rosebery began in 1926, and by 1931 an aerial ropeway from Hercules Mine near Williamsford was completed. Despite delays caused by the Great Depression, the mill officially opened in 1936.
The Rosebery Mine has been in continuous operation since then and marked its 75th anniversary in February 2011. Presently owned by Minerals and Metals Group (MMG), it produces zinc, lead, copper, silver, and gold.[4] Former proprietors include Pasminco and Zinifex.
Prior to the completion of the Murchison Highway in 1963, access to North West Tasmania from Rosebery was provided by the Emu Bay Railway.
Climate
Rosebery experiences a moist oceanic climate (Cfb) characterized by cool to mild, wet summers and cool to cold, very rainy winters. The town receives limited sunshine, averaging only 16.5 clear days per year alongside up to 168.1 overcast days. February tends to be the driest month, whereas September is typically the wettest due to prevailing westerly winds from the Roaring Forties. Snowfall occurs on average about 2.8 days annually.
Distinguished inhabitants
- Richard Flanagan – novelist, historian, and filmmaker
Related topics
Additional resources
External resources
- Crib & Cradle - Genuine Miners' Lodging in Rosebery
- Mineral Resources Tasmania - Zinifex Rosebery mining operation
- Visitor information, 2004
- Minerals and Metals Group
- MMG Rosebery employee testing report, April 2010
- http://www.lead.org.au/
- http://www.lead.org.au/lg%20las%20mr.html
- Toxic heavy metals in Tasmania at SourceWatch
- ↑ Template:Census 2021 AUS
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