Loading lead ore at Port Pirie

Loading lead ore on to ships at the Broken Hill Associated Smelters wharf, Port Pirie, South Australia.

Originally established as a port for the shipment of wool from the pastoral properties inland and later also the export of grain, Port Pirie expanded rapidly once the ores from the Broken Hill mines began to arrive and the smelters were established. It was also an important link with the BHP's development at Whyalla on the opposite side of the gulf.

Substantial upgrades were made at the port throughout the 20^th century - steel sheet piling replaced the original timber wharves; the channel was deepened further and a bulk loading facility was installed and opened in 1962.

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