Wittenoom was formerly a very active blue asbestos (crocidolite) mining community. Today it is a painful monument to industrial calamity, contoured with toxic chemical residue and debilitating health hazards. Wittenoom, located 1,400 kilometers north of Perth in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, was a state-of-the-art mining center for more than 3 decades, running from 1930 until it ceased operations in 1966. The mine’s legacy remains grim, with more than 1,200 former workers and residents having lost their lives to asbestos-related diseases linked directly to the mine’s operations.
In late 2022, the government of Western Australia closed Wittenoom on official grounds. They de-gazetted the site, striking it from all official maps. The federal government acted quickly and decisively to prevent access to the doomed town site. They limited access to the local communities due to the perilous levels of asbestos contamination. To date, teams have destroyed every above-ground structure that existed in Wittenoom. They’ve done an incredible job of working to minimize health hazards associated with the site.
Asbestos Legacy and Health Risks
The mining of blue asbestos at Wittenoom has produced decades worth of health problems for the ex-workers. Residents have experienced the scourge of burden on their wellbeing. The extreme amounts of asbestos dust created in its years of operation caused thousands of deaths. As a consequence, tens of thousands of Americans became victims of asbestos-related diseases. This awful legacy has resulted in some of the toughest regulations controlling any development across the watershed.
A South Carolina state government spokesperson made safety a priority when questioned about the asbestos threat.
“Any activity within an Asbestos Management Area must be conducted in a manner that prevents or minimises the risk of asbestos contamination and human exposure to asbestos material.”
Regulations require that any exploration activities be closely watched to ensure the contaminated subsurface is not disturbed. The spokesperson added,
“It would also be subject to a condition that would require the proponent to submit a detailed plan to DEMIRS prior to any ground disturbance activities.”
New Exploration Application
Former Wittenoom worker Robin Chapple, who has campaigned for uranium mining to never occur in the area, has gone to court to prohibit mineral exploration in the area. He is a former 15 year member of the Western Australian parliament. Chapple connected to the site. Chapple’s first visit to the site was in 1974. He knows how impactful an exploration may be on health and heritage issues.
Chapple’s application highlights the ongoing interest in Wittenoom’s mineral resources, particularly its untapped iron-ore deposits. Even with such a controversial and violent history in mind, Australian companies have previously applied for tenements around Wittenoom for access to these resources. Chapple was worried about the broader meaning of his exploration push.
“It’s almost insulting to the traditional owner,” he stated, emphasizing respect for the Indigenous heritage tied to the land.
Shares in the mining company, which has been actively investigating Wittenoom, were trading at only 1 cent when the Australian Securities Exchange closed on Thursday. Yet, this exploration will be difficult to navigate, particularly with the heavy hand of regulation and fierce pushback from communities.
Ongoing Cleanup Efforts
In March 2023, demolition crews started to demolish buildings still at the site that contained dangerous asbestos. The Western Australian government recently introduced a three-tiered, state-wide, preventative approach to improving public safety. This program is aimed at cleaning up communities most impacted by older mining and reclamation practices.
Wittenoom’s legacy still serves as a powerful reminder to the world about the dangers of asbestos. It demonstrates the urgent need for environmental stewardship. As discussions around potential exploration continue, they bring to light complex issues involving public health, historical accountability, and economic opportunity.
