Department of Mines (GA74)

Also known as the 'Geological, Mines and Goldfields Department', 'Mines Department', 'Surveyor, Mines and Goldfields Department'. The Department of Mines was established by virtue of Section 11 of the Mining Act of 1893 (1). The Act specified that the work of the Department 'shall be performed by the staff of the Department of the Commissioner of Crown Lands and Immigration, and by such wardens, registrars, inspectors, and other officers as may be necessary and shall be appointed by the Governor.'(2). However, no provision was made for the appointment of a permanent head or Secretary.

The new department acquired responsibility for regulation and administration of miners' rights and mining leases, inspection of mines and location of mineral deposits. Responsibility for its conduct rested largely with H.Y.L. Brown, the Government Geologist and J.V. Parkes, the Inspector of Mines (3). Because of the relative paucity of scientific data relating to water resources, Brown was required to investigate water supplies at the Government's direction (4).

In 1902 as a consequence of government efforts to pursue more rigorous economies, the Department was amalgamated with the Crown Lands and Roads Departments to form the Department of Lands, Mines and Roads (5). The Department of Mines was however, organisationally unaffected by the change and continued to function as a separate entity. In 1907 the Department reverted to its normal status and title. Upon Brown's retirement in 1912, the Department was reorganized. As a consequence, the geological survey function which previously had been regarded by Brown as an activity distinct from the Department, was officially placed under the control of the Minister of Mines. F.C. Ward became Acting Secretary to the Survey and the Department (6). On June 14 1917, L.K. Ward assumed the position of official head of the Department (7).

In 1931, the Department acquired responsibility for water boring from the Engineering and Water Supply Department (8). To facilitate industrial expansion, the Department's activities during the Playford era focussed increasingly on energy resources such as coal, oil and uranium. This new emphasis which became more pronounced in the 1970's, resulted in the Department assuming the title Department of Mines and Energy in 1977 (9).

Same agency as GRG30 - different archival control system.

REFERENCES:

(1) The Mining Act, no.587 56 & 57 Victoriae, Adelaide, the Government Printer, 1894, p.4
(2) ibid.
(3) O'Neil, B., In Search of Mineral Wealth: The South Australian Geological Survey and Department of Mines to 1944, Adelaide, South Australian Department of Mines & Energy, 1982, p.94.
(4) ibid., p.100.
(5) ibid., p.138.
(6) ibid., p.189
(7) ibid., p.194
(8) ibid., p.200.
(9) PSB 1014/77.