mine tour bc

Britannia Mine Museum – What to do and see Whether a Daytrip or Sea-to-Sky Stop!

Nestled along the mountainside on the Sea to Sky highway between Vancouver and Whistler is the Britannia Mine Museum. This former copper mine is now one of Canada’s National Historic Sites and was once the largest copper mine in the British Empire.

The Britannia Mine Museum was established in 1974 and recently renovated. It provides visitors with a unique blend of experiences offering a soft adventure attraction and education venue that allows guests to leave with a better understanding of mining in BC; past, present, and future.

Just 10 minutes before you arrive in Squamish on the Sea to Sky highway, the Britannia Mine Museum towers above the seaside town of Britannia Beach, home to just 300 residents. However, in the 1930s over 60 000 people lived here, making a living from working in the copper mine.

Britannia Mine Museum Location

Address: 150 Copper Drive Britannia Beach, V8B 1J1

Brittania Mine Museum is approximately a 45-minute drive from Vancouver and a 10-minute drive from Squamish. It is right on the Sea to Sky Highway in Brittania Beach.

There is a gravel parking lot and parking is free.

Admission Rates for Britannia Mine Muesum

The Britannia Mine Museum is open 7 days a week. Their hours change depending on the season but in the high season it is open from 9:00 – 6:30

1 Day Admission (2023)

Adults $39.95

Youth (13-17) $30.95

Child (5-12) $21.95

4 and Under FREE

Seniors (65+) $35.95

Students with current school ID $35.95

Family Rate (2 adults and up to three children/youth) $140.00

Annual Memberships:

Adults $98.00

Youth (13-17) $70.00

Child (5-12) $70.00

Seniors (65+) $75.00

Students with current school ID $75.00

Family Rate (2 adults and up to three children/youth) $210.00

How to book tickets?

To confirm your date and time, book tickets in advance online. You can book Here .

Whether you love history or are looking for a kid-friendly activity there is something for everyone to see at the Britannia Mine Museum. I went in with no expectations and thoroughly enjoyed myself. The boys loved the underground tour and BOOM! They panned for gold for almost an hour before I made them leave because the mine was closing. The Gift shop at the Brittania Mine Museum is a hidden game for shopping for Canadian souvenirs. Their prices are much cheaper than what you will find when shopping in Vancouver and Whistler .

Things to Do and See at Britannia Mine Museum

Underground tour and boom experience.

A memorable underground train that takes visitors inside a dark mining tunnel where they will experience what life was like for miners in the 70 years Britannia existed as a mine. This guided tour shows guests the drills and machines the miners used over time and what it was like to work deep underground. The tour explains the mineralization process and rich colors produced as minerals are exposed to water and air. It also talks about the negative consequences of mining and what is being done to protect the environment even now, as minerals flow out of the mountains.

BOOM! the newest experience at Britannia Mine Museum offers a multi-sensory experience that brings the historic Mill building back to life. Visitors will be transported back in time by the 12-minute theatrical spectacle that showcases the 20-story architectural marvel that was once a beacon to the community. It really does a great job at showcasing what the working mine would have been like.

Britannia Mine’s Mill #3

A National Historic Site and one of the last remaining gravity-fed concentrator mills in North America, the 20-story Mill Building is an awe-inspiring cliff-side building that has been the symbol of Britannia throughout the years. Whether driving towards Vancouver or Whistler on the Sea to Sky Britannia’s Mill #3 could not be missed! Restored in 2007, each of the 14,416 panes of glass was hand puttied into the frames to maintain its heritage. The BOOM experience takes place in Mill #3 after the underground part of the tour at Britannia Mine.

Gold Panning Pavillion

A scenic boardwalk and cedar-post-covered area where guests of all ages can spend hours panning for real gold. Among the gold flecks are gemstones that delight both young and old as they work on their panning technique. If you have children, expect to spend some time here and bring them a change of clothes as a lot of water ends up on them, not just in the troughs.

Beaty-Lundin Visitor Centre

The central exhibit hall houses several theatrical mining displays and a mineral gallery, theatre space, gift shop, an interactive kids area, and the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame.

A-Z Administration Building

A fully restored heritage building that is now an exhibition centre to showcase the stories of the Britannia Beach community from 1904 to 1974. It includes artifacts including love letters and antiques. It also has historic photos and videos of former Copper Queens. The exhibits show what life was like in the old mining town that was cut off from others for so many years.

Britannia Mine Machine Shop

The 1908 Machine Shop is home to a number of historic machines and equipment donated by mining companies from across the country. The building also features several unique art exhibits.

Family Play Area

All ages can play in the mining-themed play area where they can have fun in a Super Haul truck and imagine themselves as miners using toy diggers, trucks, and hoppers.

While walking from the underground tunnel towards Mill#3 keep an eye out for the core sheds. They hold an immense archive of rock core samples drilled from the mountainside and collected throughout Britannia’s mining years.

EPCOR Britannia Mine Water Treatment Plant

Britannia Mines had a negative environmental impact on Howe Sound due to acid rock drainage, which occurs naturally when rainwater reacts with oxygen and exposed minerals. Today, the water treatment plant uses natural materials to filter minerals and neutralize surface water runoff collected from the area, ensuring that only clean water flows into Howe Sound. This project has allowed the revitalization of plants and animals in the waterways.

The Gift shop at the Brittania Mine Museum is a hidden game for shopping for Canadian souvenirs. Their prices are much cheaper than what you will find when shopping in Vancouver and Whistler . If you have ever wanted a gold pan, you can also pick up one of those at the gift shop for less than $10. Perfect for camping and keeping the kids busy! Shopping at the gift shop helps fund this non-profit site. You can even visit the gift shop if you are not visiting the mine. It is the perfect stop along the Sea-to-Sky Highway to pick up some gifts and souvenirs!

Tips for Visiting

If you are visiting with young children, there are loud noises on the tour. Bring yourself ear plugs if you are going to have to cover your children’s ears. (Although I found my kids were good at covering their own ears.)

Bring a sweater. It is cold in the mine. Even in summer, it is very wet and damp inside.

Animals are not allowed (except service dogs). If you are traveling with your pets in the summertime, you should skip Britannia. Do not leave them in the car.

Give yourself time for the gift shop! There are some great treasures to be found. If you have ever wanted a gold panning pan, you can grab one at the Britannia Mine gift shop.

Britannia Mine FAQ

Britannia Mine closed in 1974 because it was no longer making a profit in the copper industry.

Britannia Mine produced copper (650,000 tons), zinc (137,000 tons), lead (17,000 tons), cadmium (500 tons), silver (188 tons), gold (15.6 tons/500,000 ounces) from the Ore in the mountains.

If you are visiting Vancouver and do not have a car, there are options to visit the Britannia mine. Here is a private vehicle tour that will stop at the mine and allow visitors to visit. Note that the price of this tour does not include the price of admission to the mine. Expect an additional $40 to visit the museum and the copper mine tour (including BOOM, the multi sensory experience). This tour also includes a trip to Shannon falls and optional stops at the Sea to Sky Gondola as well as the Railway museum in Squamish. Here is another private day tour that includes admission to the mine, as well as the Sea to Sky Gondola. It also includes a tip and lunch (make sure you read all of the inclusions so you are not surprised)

Lindsay Nieminen is the creator of UncoveringBC.com. She grew up and still lives in the suburbs of Vancouver with her family. She aims to inspire inform, and educate others about traveling in her home province of British Columbia. She is also the creator of carpediemourway.com  which aims to show parents how to seek out adventure at home or abroad, with their children in tow!

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Britannia Mine Museum

• 604.896.2233

Britannia Mine Museum Rocks! This 10-acre Award-winning Museum And National Historic Site Is Full Of Fun For The Entire Family

Last century, Britannia Mine was the largest copper mine in the British Empire. Today, it's a multi-award-winning Museum, turning out awe-inspiring sights and memorable family experiences. Rumble aboard the mine train as it rolls into the dark, learn from informative but informal tour guides and pan for real gold! 

Located in beautiful Britannia Beach just 10 minutes south of Squamish, this 10-acre award-winning museum and National Historic Site is full of all-ages fun. Come for a visit and see why this National Historic Site is rated 4 1/2 stars on Trip Advisor.

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Kimberley’s underground mining railway

An authentic tourist attraction, take a scenic tour.

 staffl  We are closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays

 Nestled in the Rocky Mountain Trench in the East Kootenay Region of B.C. is the City of Kimberley; the home of the historic Sullivan Mine and the Underground Mining Railway. The Kimberley Underground Mining Railway is owned and operated by the Sullivan Mine and Railway Historical Society. The Kimberley mining railway has been in existence, in one form or another, for 38 years and has developed into a unique tourist attraction.

Join our Mining Tour and ride the rails through the beautiful Mark Creek valley as you listen to the history of Kimberley and the Sullivan Mine. Learn about life as a miner at the Underground Interpretive Centre as our miner guide describes hard rock mining and demonstrates some of the equipment used in the Sullivan Mine. Join us for a short walk to the Sullivan Mine Powerhouse for a guided tour featuring the huge compressors and generators that powered the mine. Board the train again to learn more about Kimberley and enjoy spectacular scenery and glimpses of the occasional wild life as you travel back to the station.

Explore the Orpheum Theatre, the North Star Schoolhouse, the Miner’s Cabin and the Caboose as part of your adventure into history.  

Northwest Profiles

Testimonials

Thank you. thank you. what a great time we had. you folks went the extra mile for us and we sure appreciated all that you did., my family (2 six year olds and my wife) and i took the kumr on tuesday. we were thoroughly impressed with the guides, especially the miner, charlie. he added a degree of authenticity that we very much enjoyed, his descriptions of mining life on and off the job gave us a much greater appreciation for the town and its unique history. thanks for the experience. the next time we're in kimberley we will be taking the tour again., everyone on the trip was absolutely delighted with the afternoon with you and the staff. they enjoyed learning the nuts and bolts of what it takes to operate a mine. everyone was shocked by the effort it takes to get a final finished metal product., the visit to the sullivan mine was one of the real highlights of our visit to western canada. in addition to the actual mine tour, the visit to the powerhouse and the explanation of the core and mineral samples gave us an appreciation of the immensity of the mine and its workings. 300 miles of tunnels is hard to contemplate, i just wanted to thank all the wonderful people that provided our bc chamber executive's conference with memories that will last a long time this past weekend on september 7th we will all keep these memories as the wonderful volunteers went above and beyond you should be very proud of the wonderful attraction you have and the great people that host and represent your beautiful community, thank you for the train ride and interesting presentations at the mine during our trip to canada. the kindness of all involved was deeply appreciated, to engineer make hayes: a very informative and interesting train ride. -- that was a good promo i've been spreading the word, as i went about the village of marysville and while in kimberley. sharon was also a very good guide, kudos to all of you. may you have great success for the rest of the summer., to engineer, mike hayes: we really enjoyed our excursion with you today you were an excellent guide and host. we really felt treated like special folks. nice job..

Check Alberta 511 for road updates before you come!

Bookings are open tours begin in may 2024  .

EXPERIENCE THE dark LIKE NEVER BEFORE

Construction on bellevue main street begins april 22, 2024 and will continue into fall.  check  our "visit" page for detour information as it is provided to us..

The Bellevue Underground Mine is a unique and historically designated underground coal mine located in the Crowsnest Pass. We provide visitors with an authentic experience of what it was like to be a coal miner, while on an exciting hour-long tour underground guided by Heritage Interpreters.

Walk in the miners' footsteps

The guided underground tour will take you 1,000 feet into the mine, where you will be 150 feet below the surface. Explore the mine's inner-workings while you learn about the rich history of one of Canada's underground coal mines.

Wander around our location and take a look at some of the historic underground mine machinery we have on site.

When you are done outside come inside our main building and see some of the artifacts we currently have on display.

Explore the Past

Go Underground

Equipped with a miner’s helmet and lamp head underground with one of our Heritage Interpreters.

The guided tour will last roughly 1 hour. Travel back in time to explore the rich underground mining history of the Crowsnest Pass.

Plan your  Visit

Don't forget to book your tour in advance, walk-ins will not be guaranteed.

Remember to dress warmly, and check out our KNOW BEFORE YOU GO page for additional details.

All aboard the underground train: Panning for gold at Vancouver’s Britannia Mine Museum

Guided tours and multi-sensory attractions transport visitors back in time at what was once the largest copper mine in the British Empire

By Kathryn Anderson & Roadtrippers

After an incredibly scenic 45-minute drive north of Vancouver, the Britannia Mine Museum is impossible to miss. Located just off of British Columbia’s Sea-to-Sky Highway on Squamish First Nations land, the massive white structure juts out from the side of the mountain and commands attention. 

The Britannia Mine was a functioning mine from 1904 until 1974. Ore was first discovered here in 1888 by Alexander Forbes, who happened upon a patch of mineralized rock while out hunting. At one point, more than 60,000 people lived nearby and worked in what was once the largest copper mine in the former British Empire. Over seven decades, workers extracted more than 50 million tons of ore that produced copper, zinc, lead, cadmium, silver, and gold. Today—despite floods, fires, and rock slides—a statue of a man opening the mountain to find copper memorializes the great fortunes that the mine provided for the town of Britannia. 

In 2010, the mine underwent a massive renovation, opening as the Britannia Mine Museum. Visitors can pan for gold and gemstones, ride an underground train into an early haulage tunnel, learn about the history of the mine, and experience a new multi-sensory, live-action attraction entitled BOOM! 

“We’re here to challenge the idea that museum tours have to be dry or boring,” says museum educator Derek A. Jang. “It’s always a pleasure watching people’s faces when they head underground or see the BOOM! show. Even through their [face] masks, I can tell when we’ve blown away their expectations.” 

Underground train 

My tour begins inside of the large white structure named Mill 3. There’s a chill in the air and my first thought is that the raw, exposed walls and pipes would make a great backdrop for a horror movie or underground nightclub. I’m not far off: The mine has been used as a filming location for countless television shows and movies, including The X-Files and Supernatural .

After exiting the Mill, I venture into The Chatterbox Café to warm up with a cappuccino. The walls of the cafe are filled with photos of the long list of actors who have filmed projects at the mine, including Richard Gere, David Hasselhoff, Alicia Silverstone, and Ashley Judd. 

The coffee warms me up just in time to head into another cool, dark, and damp environment. I place a hard hat on my head, preparing to be transported back to the early 1900s when miners would hop on a similar train car and head into the mine for a hard day’s work. As I step into the bright yellow car, I’m thankful that I’m not claustrophobic. We descend into an early haulage tunnel that appears to be closing in around us. 

Marianna Hammerstrom, the museum’s historic interpreter and our train conductor, shouts over the roar of the train’s engine: “Arms and legs inside at all times!”   

As the train enters the underground tunnels, Jang says, “A lot of our guides would say the best part of working here is operating the machinery. I wish I could go back in time and tell my 5-year-old self that I’ll be a train conductor when I grow up.”  

Once inside a tunnel, we ride along for a few moments before hopping out to watch staff demonstrate how miners drilled for ore. I witness the evolution of mining equipment from a basic hammer and chisel to a large power drill that noisily chips away at the tunnel wall; thankfully earplugs are provided.  

Miners worked by candlelight before switching to carbide lamps, and one of my favorite parts of the underground train ride comes when a staff member shuts off the modern electric lights and lights a small candle; the mine glows eerily. 

We exit the tunnel and I have the honor of upholding the long-standing tradition of pulling a rope and sounding an alarm. While the mine was in operation, the sound signified that the miners were finished for the day and everyone had exited safely, bringing relief to everyone in town. 

Loud noises

Speaking of loud sounds, the newest attraction at the mine is BOOM!, which brings visitors back to the days when all 20 stories of the mine were bustling. During the video presentation, I’m able to experience what the mine looked and sounded like during its heyday. Sparks fly, lights flash, and I hear the deafening roar of the machines that were once ubiquitous in the town of Britannia. 

Our tour concludes and we exit through the Beaty Lundin Visitor Centre. More than just a kitschy souvenir shop, the visitor center includes interactive displays, artifacts from the mine’s history, and exhibits such as the Mining Hall of Fame.

In the Gold Panning Pavilion, I gladly accept a blue pan and plunge it into a pool of warm water. I scoop sand and water into my pan and shake it, searching for gold. I repeat this several times but find only sand—it’s not my lucky day, but I have fun anyway. 

While walk-ins are allowed at Britannia Mine Museum , it’s highly recommended to book your tickets in advance. The museum is open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

Meet the Authors

Kathryn Anderson

Kathryn is a freelance health, wellness, and travel writer whose mission is to inspire people to explore the world. Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, she enjoys exploring both locally and abroad and has visited 21 countries on 5 continents (so far).

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Britannia Mine Museum Underground tour. Photo courtesy of Britannia Mine Museum.

Digging for history: Mines and mine sites to visit in BC

November 9, 2021 //  by  Joanne Hill

As soon as humans realized they could extract stuff from the ground that could be put to use or turned into beautiful things, they’ve been digging. Many civilizations have used the spoils recovered to fashion items of value and practicality.

Fast forward to around 1760 and the industrial revolution heralded the modern age of manufacture and the search for black gold to keep it all going. Of course, BC is full of natural resources of all kinds, including a vast array of minerals and precious metals that were just waiting for discovery (At least that’s how it was viewed at the time). Right here in BC, there was lots of the black gold to be found and many a fortune was made in its mining.

All that glitters is not gold

It’s hard to ignore the allure of gold, and there was plenty of that about, and a fever to find it! BC’s population exploded with the gold rush, bringing in thousands of hopefuls who were here to strike it rich. While many of them didn’t find monetary riches, they did stick around, contributing to the growth of the province both above and below ground.

Gold fever aside, BC is rich in many other minerals, and industry needs all sorts of things from the belly of the earth to make it tick — from early steam engines to modern day computers and electric cars, many of the necessary ingredients are found underground right here.

The pride of the commonwealth

If you have a yen to actually go down a mine, then the Britannia Mine Museum , once the largest copper mine in the British Commonwealth, is a great place to start. Over the 70 years it was operational, it produced more than 50 million tons of ore that yielded copper, zinc, lead, cadmium, silver and gold.

Among the many informative exhibits, is a mine train that takes visitors into the chilly depths just like it was in 1914. Find out what it took to be a miner, or if you prefer to stay above ground, check out the other exhibits that include 17 original buildings and the immersive new Boom! exhibit which brings the mine to life with seat-rumbling special effects. One more level of caché —the mine has been used in both The X-Files and Supernatural TV shows.

Industrial history and aprés ski

The Rossland Museum presents the history and heritage of the Rossland area. It has exhibits that explore the main industry — mining — and exhibits that look at social, cultural and sports history (especially skiing!). It’s located on the site of the Le Roi Gold Mine, a mine that began with the gold rush in Rossland and was open from 1890-1934. Here you can learn about the geological history of the area and understand the importance of industrial mineral extraction in Canada’s history all while getting a first-hand look at the culture that sprang up around the town.

Mining on a massive scale

The Bullion Pit differs a bit from the other types of mines. It’s not so much a museum as the others, but still worth a look and certainly of historical interest. Just three miles from Likely, BC, the astonishing man-made gorge that is the Bullion Pit measures over three kilometres in length and nearly a quarter kilometre wide. It was once the largest hydraulic placer mine in world, operating from 1892 to 1942.

The trail is relatively easy, although steeper in one section, and winds through the site of the Bullion Pit hydraulic mine, offering a view of the manmade canyon from the days of the gold rush. Some of the mining equipment is available to view, and a little bit of imagination helps to imagine what it might have been like in its hey day.

Morden Colliery Historic Provincial Park

The Friends of Morden Mine advocated for the funding to preserve the historical structures for future generations and in 2019, the provincial government committed $1.4 million to restore the Morden Mine headframe and tipple structure in the Morden Colliery Historic Provincial Park. The structure, built in 1912, was in danger of collapse and since it is a rare surviving example of a Vancouver Island coal mine, it was deemed worthy of preservation. Coal mining and resource extraction dominated life in the region for nearly a century, and drove non-native settlement too. These are the most complete remaining complex of coal mining surface structures on Vancouver Island and well worth a look.

READ MORE: Restoration work stabilizes Morden Mine tipple south of Nanaimo

Another island mine

Cumberland was an early coal-mining town. Today, the Cumberland Museum tells the story of the people of Cumberland with a diverse collection that explores the diverse history of the miners who came to work and the community that grew up around them. Find out about the history of labour disputes in the mining world, the history of the railway that ran between Union Bay and Cumberland, and the many businesses that served workers and settlers.

Royal BC Museum

For those looking for an indoor-and-definitely-not-underground adventure, the Royal BC Museum offers a comprehensive look at the history of the province and how it came to be as it is now, which includes some great mining exhibits that bring the past to life in an indoor setting!

Plan your adventures throughout the West Coast at westcoasttraveller.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thewestcoasttraveller. And for the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Armchair Traveller newsletter !

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Mascot Gold Mine Tours

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Mascot Gold Mine Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Coal Mine Tours

Elk Valley Mine Tours

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Tours

Elkview Operations

July & August

Bus departs from the Sparwood Chamber of Commerce (next to big truck) at 1:00 pm. Call 250-425-2423 to reserve a seat.

Adults $15.00, Senior/ Youth $12.00. Children under 5 are free.

Did you know the Elk Valley produces 80% of Canada’s steelmaking coal?

Find out more on the bus tour of our open-pit coal mine;  See heavy machinery at work, Learn how mined land is reclaimed to promote native ecosystems, Try to spot the herds of elk, deer, and bighorn sheep that live on site, Discover the steps Teck is taking to protect and maintain water quality.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Mascot Gold Mine Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Home > Directory > Guided Tours > Mascot Gold Mine Tours

Mascot Gold Mine Tours

Temporarily Closed

The new MascotMine website is coming soon.

The historic Mascot Mine is currently closed  while construction work is underway.

For safety reasons public  access is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

Please be aware that rock scaling, helicopter operations, and other hazardous activities are currently taking place at site and will continue throughout the autumn of 2023.

Please DO NOT attempt to enter the historic Mascot Mine at this time.

New information will be posted on this website as it becomes available.

Official visitor website for the Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada including Cathedral Lakes, Cawston, Chopaka, Coalmont, Eastgate, Hedley, Keremeos, Manning Park, Olalla, Princeton, Similkameen Valley, Tulameen and Twin Lakes.

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The 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 British Empire. 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 British Empire, 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.

When was Ore discovered?

Ore was discovered in 1888. Learn more about the story here.

Dates of Mill Operations?

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.

A Chronological History of Britannia Mines

190 Britannia Mine opened

1912/1   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

  1974:  Mine closed. Super truck (on-site) built to be used in Highland Copper Valley, near Kamloops

1975:   BCMM opened to public

1988:   Britannia designated as a National Historic Site

1991:  Flood in Britannia

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)

Number of employees and residents

Over 60,000

Main Mining Communities & Camps

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)

Amount of ore extracted

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%!

What ore was present in the mine?

Metal sulphides: pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena; gold and silver

How much of each metal was produced?

Copper (650,000 tons), zinc (137,000 tons), lead (17,000 tons), cadmium (500 tons), silver (188 tons), gold (15.6 tons/500,000 ounces)

How long were the tunnels?

240km tunnels (longest 8km), over 1750 metres of vertical distance to a depth of around 650 metres below sea level

How many fatalities were there?

There were an estimated 98 underground fatalities in 70 years

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