Airly Shale Mines
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Maps: LPI Glen Alice 89314N GR: 239 344 Track Notes: Comments: From 1883 until 1914 Oil Shale was mined near Mt Airly. The shale was transported to the Torbane Oil Refinery via a series of tramways, Several different companies operated the mines while they were operational. The mines produced some of the richest Shale Oil anywhere. Mining stopped when the Commonwealth Government stopped subsidising the industry and it was unable to compete with cheap imports from overseas. When the mines closed much of the equipment was moved to Newnes which was still operating. Today it is still possible to follow the tramways and imagine the what is must have been like when the mines were operating. Ventilation shafts, boilers and other equiment are slowly decaying rigth where they were last used. |
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