This website is the responsibility of Hillgrove Resources, proudly supporting the Kanmantoo Callington Community Consultative Committee (KCCCC).
The Committee is a public forum for the community to come together to raise issues and encourage action on matters related to the Hillgrove Resource’s Kanmantoo Copper Mine. The Committee is facilitated by an independent chairperson.
Short history of the Kanmantoo Copper Mine
The Kanmantoo Copper Mine is situated in the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia about 55 kilometres from the Adelaide CBD.
Mining in and around Kanmantoo and Callington by European settlers can be traced back to 1846.
The discovery and mining of the main deposit on the current site was developed by Kanmantoo Mines Limited (KML) in the 1960’s and 70’s. KML was a joint venture between Broken Hill South (51%), North Broken Hill (19.5%), Electolytic Zinc Company (19.5%) and P.G. Hallof of Canada (10%). The Kanmantoo Copper Mine closed in 1976 due to low prices, a high exchange rate and increasing costs, but the area remained copper rich.
Hillgrove Resources Limited took up the Mining Lease over the former Kanmantoo workings as well as Exploration Licences in the area in 2003 / 2004.
The Kanmantoo Mine was approved by the State Government mining regulator in 2009. Construction of the considerable infrastructure including a processing facility began at this time and the operation was commissioned in 2011.
The Local Community
The location of the mine places it in close proximity to two small townships, Kanmantoo and Callington, with a combined population of about 1200 people.
Within a five kilometre radius of the mine there are rural neighbours, township residents, local business owners, some government service providers like the Callington Primary School and various community groups such as Churches and emergency services. This group is considered to be the local community.
Community members living and working nearby the mine are those most likely to be impacted by mine activities and for this reason are particularly important.
The Regional Community
Beyond the local community there is a regional community that has an interest in the mine. The mine is about 20 kilometres east of the regional centre of Mt Barker and about 25 kilometres west of the Rural City of Murray Bridge which is another regional centre. There are other significant regional communities within 25 kilometres of the mine site including Strathalbyn to the south and Nairne and Littlehampton to the north-west.
The regional community includes parts of the local government areas of the District Council of Mt Barker, Rural City of Murray Bridge, Adelaide Hills Council and Alexandrina Council. The mine is located in the District Council of Mt Barker for planning and other municipal services.
Amongst other things, community services including hospitals and high schools are located in the region.