Readers are well versed in the history of Waratah, the Bischoff Mine, and the extraordinary contribution of Philosopher Smith to the history of mining on the west coast and to the economic well-being of Tasmania.

There is a little more to add to the past and a lot more to add to the future.

The 1871 discovery of tin at Mt Bischoff by ‘the Philosopher’ instigated many other exploration ventures including one by state government surveyor Charles Sprent who found an iron ore deposit on the Savage River some 30kms to the southwest in 1877.

Mining did not commence until 1966 due the low quality of the ore and the inability to transfer the ore until a slurry pipeline was constructed to Port Latta for refining the ore into pellets.

On the weekend the current owner Grange Resources announced an expansion of the current mining has been approved by the EPA which will extend the life of the mine by at least an extra 13 years. Their profit in 2020 was over $200 million and increasing iron ore prices will arguably see that continue to grow in the years ahead.

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Savage River is inexorably connected to Waratah, historically, geographically, and geologically.

It is now time for Grange, and indeed the Tasmanian Minerals and Energy Council, to recognise this, “The Grange Heritage Connection”.

We call upon them to provide essential support to the community through direct assistance to the town of Waratah and the Waratah-Wynyard Council in its hour of need, i.e. the drawn-out battle with TasWater and the state government over the proposed decommissioning of the heritage Waratah Reservoir.

I have described the battle in many TT posts with perhaps this the most pertinent.

Troubled Water … Is This A Bridge? – Tasmanian Times

The council is progressing internal discussions a how to respond to the TasWater proposal therein incorporated and are due to discuss in their meting on 22 June.

There is little doubt that both Grange and the TMEC could assist the decision if they approached the council and offered to, inter alia:

  • Provide all materials and labour to remediate the dam wall to a safe pre TasWater 2017 destruction status The community knows it has material stockpiled and available to do such and it certainly has the necessary labour and construction equipment!
  • Simultaneously fully rejuvenate the Old Powerhouse Loop Track and work with a third party e.g., Shaw Contracting, to facilitate the construction of a mini-hydro plant adjacent to the Old Powerhouse and make Waratah carbon positive.
  • Reinforce their own heritage connection to the Philosopher by assisting the War-Wyn Council in the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the discover of Mt Bischoff on 4 December 2021 (e.g a procession of mining vehicles though the town) combined with the construction of a statue of the Philosopher adjacent to the Waratah Falls.

As stated above I believe both the TMEC and the company Grange Resources should support this initiative with the council.

It is significant that the current President of the TMEC is Ben Maynard who is General Manager at Savage River, meanwhile Ray Mostogl the current Chief Executive was Director of the TMEC during the creative and important 75th anniversary of Rosebery in 2011 which they facilitated.

They should be entirely supportive of the above proposal. As indeed should the Premier and the entire Liberal Ministry.

They will be receiving a letter from the Waratah Community soonest.

John Powell was Born in Rushworth Victoria; educated at Dandenong High School and Monash University; National Service during the Vietnam War; employed in oil/gas, water, and the resources sectors; proud Celt; protector of environment and Aboriginal heritages; stubborn and resolute.