This page houses a series of blogs by Museum curator Diane Mitchell, exploring the history of the area of Britannia Beach, the Britannia Mine, and the townships servicing it, as well as geology and metallurgy. 

Copper in the Time of COVID

Copper is a very special material. It was the first metal that people shaped into tools, has played a vital role in the development of civilisation, and its remarkable qualities make it important in both electronics and medicine: "When a virus or bacteria lands on copper," Diane writes, "the copper releases electrically charged particles which blast apart the cell membrane..." Now that is a metal we'd all do well to study.

During its years of operation, some 650,000 tons of copper were extracted from ore at the Britannia Mine.

Copper and our Health – Fact or Fiction?

In Copper: Bug Buster, our temporary summer exhibit, we explore some of the myths or beliefs around copper and its affect – positive and negative – on our health. This blog further explores the science behind some of these ideas. 

This Too Shall Pass

This blog looks at community resilience, reflecting on Britannia’s history, with a view to the present COVID pandemic situation. The history of the mine and the towns that serviced them is filled with exciting stories of hardships and disasters overcome, and of indomitable community spirit.

Britannia Bingo

The kids who grew up at Britannia had to make their own fun. In that spirit, we've created Britannia Bingo! It's full of ideas to keep ourselves entertained, even if we're stuck inside, with three feet of snow on the front step.