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Continue ShoppingThe History of Britannia
Britannia Beach lies within the territory of the Squamish Nation, a culture that for thousands of years was adapted to living along river banks. This partially explains the lack of evidence of permanent settlements along the east shores of the Howe Sound. The immediacy of steep slopes against the water made much of the east coast of Howe Sound unsuitable for large villages, particularly given the numerous ideal places to live in the rich river valley to the north.
The best evidence that there was a village of any sort where Britannia Beach now sits comes from A Sto’lo Coast Salish Historical Altas, which suggests that a small settlement, perhaps a stopping point along a trading route between the Squamish and Sto’lo nations, existed there.
The Britannia Mine operated from 1904 to 1974 and was once the largest copper mine in the world. In its seventy-year life, the Britannia Mine had a fascinating history. With over 60,000 people living and working here, you can imagine that there are a few stories to tell! There was pioneering work on ore extraction technologies - peak production rates making it the then biggest copper mine in the world, dictatorial and benevolent managers, fire, floods, a tragic rock slide and much more.
There's too much 'story' to tell it all here.
How Britannia Started
When most people drive by Britannia Beach today they have little sense of how massive the Britannia Mine was. Learn more about the story of Britannia.
The Britannia Story
In its seventy-year life, the Britannia Mine had a fascinating history. With over 60,000 people living and working here, you can imagine that there are a few stories to tell!
Archival Documents
The Museum’s archives are an essential source of information on Britannia’s past. In this section you will also find materials written by Museum staff on Britannia and topics related to Britannia.
Britannia's Environmental Story
Working with the province, land owners and community, an intensive remediation campaign was launched in 2002. The end-result has been a successful turnaround. Life has returned to the waters surrounding the mine, including Howe Sound.
Quick Facts about Britannia
There is so much to learn about Britianna and the life of the Mine. Here are some answers to questions we get asked daily.
Ore was discovered in 1888. Learn more about the story here.
The Britannia Mine opened in 1904 with Mill 1: 1905 - 1914, then Mill 2 was built. and operated from1914 - 1921 until it burnt down and was replaced by Mill #3 in 1923 The Mill closed in 1974.
1904 Britannia Mine opened.
1911/2 Service Tunnel (for Mill #1) driven in.
1915 Jane Camp avalanche and Britannia Syndicate formed, (incld. Britannia Land Co., Britannia Power Co., Howe Sound Power Co., etc.).
1916: Mill #2 completed.
1921: Mill #2 burnt down and Flood along Britannia creek.
1923: Mill #3 (the present day concentrator) was built.
1942: Service tunnel reopened to use as air raid shelter during WWII (then closed until 1973 for the Museum).
1946: First Britannia worker’s strike.
1952: Road built to Mount Sheet (from Britannia).
1956: Train service between Vancouver and Squamish began.
1958: Sea to Sky Highway built.
1971: Britannia Beach Historical Society forms.
1974: Last shift at Britannia on November 1st.
1974: WABCO truck (on-site) built to be used in Highland Copper Valley, near Kamloops.
1975: The British Columbia Mining Museum opens!
1979: 40 acres of land on the beach flat is transferred to the British Columbia Museum of Mining.
1981: The museum opens its first exhibit about the Britannia mine and community.
1988: Britannia designated as a National Historic Site.
1991: Flood in Britannia Beach & The WABCO Haul truck is donated.
1992: The old powerhouse, built in 1912, is destroyed by a fire.
1998: The museum’s curator starts digitizing the collection database!
2004: Britannia Beach Reunion, celebrating 100 years of community from 1904-2004.
2005-2007: Mill No. 3 underwent a $5 million exterior rehabilitation and the water treatment plant opens.
2009: BC Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition.
2010: BC Mining Museum changes its name to the Britannia Mine Museum.
2015: The Utopia Lake and Park Lane Dams are removed from upper Britannia Creek for the safety of the Britannia Community.
2019: BOOM! opens in Mill No. 3.
2024: Intercollegiate Mine Emergency Rescue Competition.
2024: The Britannia Mine Museum hosted the 66th BC Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition.
2025: The Britannia Mine Museum celebrates 50 years!
Company History
1902-1963: Britannia Mining and Smelting Company.
1963-1974: Anaconda Mining Company.
1978: Copper Beach Estates is given transfer of Crown Grants and freehold rights.
2002: Copper Beach changes its name to Britannia Mines and Reclamation Corporation.
2003: McDonald Corporation takes over and transfers much of land to Province of BC.
Jane Slide (1915, 56 deaths)
Britannia Beach flood (1921, 35 deaths)
Mill 2 fire (1921, 0 deaths)
Over 60,000
Main communities
Britannia Beach (processing and shipping operations) and Mount Sheer (mining operations).
There were 9 mining camps;
Victoria, Empress, Beta,
Barbara, Jane, Incline, Daisy (Goldsmith), Seaview, Seymour
Howe Sound Company and subsidiary Britannia Mining & Smelting Company (1904 - 1963)
Anaconda Copper Company (1963 - 1974)
Over 50 million tons was extracted during the life of the mine. 7000 tons of ore were processed each day making it the largest copper mine in the British Commonwealth in the late 1920's, early 1930's. Their extraction rate was 90-95%!
Metal sulphides: pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena; gold and silver
Copper (650,000 tons)
Other Minerals:
Zinc (137,000 tons), Lead (17,000 tons), Cadmium (500 tons), Silver (188 tons), Gold (15.6 tons)
240km tunnels (longest 8km), over 1750 metres of vertical distance to a depth of around 650 metres below sea level
There were an estimated 98 underground fatalities in 70 years