26/07/2023
When you consider it was only 50+ years ago that horses, donkeys and pit ponies were still being used in underground mining operations throughout Australia, you have to wonder what it was like, not only for the horses, but equally for the miners that worked with the horses on a daily basis.
There are many stories told of fond friendships formed between the horses and their handlers, but equally, it must have been a hard life for the horses with many becoming blind from living in constant darkness.
It was back in 1994 whilst I was operating an O&K shovel at the southern end of the Super-pit in Kalgoorlie that the bucket of the shovel broke through into what was an old underground stable that housed many horses when it was in operation some years earlier. The old stable was large with many old harnesses, bits and other items associated with horses. So much has happened in our industry in such a short time that it makes you wonder what mining will look like in 60 years from now...
From all the team at RMS, stay safe out there! :)
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