Is it safe to visit Wittenoom?

Is it safe to visit Wittenoom?

The WA government warns people not to visit the town and signs at the area’s entrance also outline the danger. “When driving into Wittenoom there’s a sign up saying, ‘Do not exit your vehicle’ but there’s no barricade to prevent you from actually driving in there,” Mr Shand said.

How many people died at Wittenoom?

About 20,000 people lived there in its heyday throughout the 1930s to 1966, carting around deadly blue asbestos. More than 2,000 deaths have been linked to the mining activity at Wittenoom and the whole town is a declared contaminated site.

Does anyone still live in Wittenoom?

Wittenoom was once a thriving town in the Western Australian desert getting rich off mining asbestos used to construct almost every building in the country. The town was wiped from maps, struck from records, and by earlier this year there were only three stubborn residents refusing to leave. Now there is only one.

Who mined Wittenoom?

About 1925 Asbestos rush occurred in the Pilbara, however tyranny of distance and the terrain difficulties forced the prospectors to sell their claims to speculators. In 1939 the Late Mr Hancock and his associates constructed primitive Asbestos Crushing Plant on the site which became known as the Wittenoom Mill.

Do they still mine asbestos?

Asbestos bans around the world Countries that still permit asbestos to be imported, exported, and used include the United States, China, Russia, and India. Countries such as Russia, China and Kazakhstan still mine asbestos to this day.

How many people worked at Wittenoom?

The town was originally constructed to support the local mine. From 1950 until the early 1960s Wittenoom was Australia’s only supplier of asbestos with around 161,000 tons being mined. During that time, approximately 20,000 people lived and worked in the town.

Where is asbestos mined today?

Currently Active Asbestos Mines The world’s biggest producers in order of asbestos production include Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Brazil and Zimbabwe. Russia produced 790,000 metric tons of asbestos in 2020 and Kazakhstan produced 210,000 metric tons.

Can you camp at Wittenoom?

There are camping spots down by the rivers. Some of the tracks are easy to follow, some are not. If you aren’t in a high clearance four wheel drive, then I’d advise just driving the first few kilometres into Wittenoom Gorge itself and finding a cool spot to set up the tent for the night.

What is the Wittenoom mine?

Wittenoom is a declared contaminated site and former townsite 1,420 kilometres (880 mi) north-north-east of Perth, in the Hamersley Range in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. By 1939, major mining began in Yampire Gorge, which was subsequently closed in 1943 when mining began in Wittenoom Gorge.

What happened at Wittenoom?

During the 1950s and early 1960s Wittenoom was Australia’s only supplier of blue asbestos. The mine was shut down in 1966 due to unprofitability and growing health concerns from asbestos mining in the area….Wittenoom, Western Australia.

Who exports the most asbestos?

Russia. Russia, is the largest asbestos mining and exporting country in the world. In 2000 mining levels were at 700,000 metric tons per annum.

What was the correct name for Frank Wittenoom?

To muddy the water even further Frank’s correct name was Frederick Francis Burdett Wittenoom. The presence of asbestos in the Hamersley Range had been known since 1917 and was reported as being at Yampire Gorge in 1924.

Why was the mine at Wittenoom allowed to continue?

Both the Mines department and the Health department had allowed the mine at Wittenoom to continue operating in flagrant breach of the health and safety laws that the departments were meant to enforce.

How many people died from asbestos in Wittenoom?

Of the 20,000 people who lived and worked in Wittenoom over 1,000 have already died from asbestos related diseases. Projections suggest that 25% of those who worked there will die directly as a result of exposure to asbestos dust.

Are there plans to evict people from Wittenoom?

NOTICE MARCH 2019 : The West Australian government has announced plans to forcibly evict the last three residents of Wittenoom and to destroy roads leading to the town. One of the most beautiful and tragic areas in the state. The gorges are among the most striking and haunting you will find anywhere.