Group of Cornish and Australian born descendants working at Moonta Mines. Back row: W. Bice; J. Olds; P. Kemp; S. Daddow; T. Hosking; W. Harvey; R. Floyd; J. Whenan, W. Blewett; W. Soound; S. Griffin; Joe Verrar; T. Stephens. Centre row: B. Cornelius; Abe Andrews; W. H. Mitchell; W. Bradbury; T. Goldsworthy; A. Kemp; J. Allen; T. Fuss; R. Sleep; T. Blight; T. Phillips. Front row: Unknown; J. Brown; J. Manuel; C. Penalurick; W. Hand; J. Hayes; J. Davey; R. Kemp. Hughes shaft and engine house in the background

From the inception of copper mining at Wallaroo and Moonta in the 1860s, large numbers of miners were employed, in particular experienced Cornish miners. During the 'Great Strike' of 1874, it was reported that 1200 disgruntled miners met at Moonta. (Kadina and Wallaroo times, 8 April 1874, p. 3) In 1889, over 2,000 miners met the mine manager, Captain HR Hancock at Moonta with their grievances. (Kadina Wallaroo times, 21 May 1889, p. 2) When the mines closed in 1923 - following progressive falls in the world copper price - there were reportedly 1,450 men thrown out of work. (Plain dealer, 29 September 1922, p. 2)

There was much controversy over this final ending in 1923, with blame put on the Unions over the crippling industrial issues which hastened the mines closure. However the underlying issue was the end of the global demand for copper, which had temporarily been resucitated for armaments during the First World War. Many local people believed that there was still great copper wealth at Moonta, if only there was finances to extract it. A few years later, in 1931, the 'Moonta Prospecting Syndicate' was formed and with state and federal unemployment grants, employed 60 men in a small mining revival. (Kadina and Wallaroo times, 10 February 1932, p. 2) Operations continued until at least 1938. (Kadina and Wallaroo times, 24 August 1938, p. 3) The demise of mining saw major changes to the the local communities, as a large section of the population left the Peninsula.