
Deep in the heart of Queensland, Australia, lies one of the most significant silver-producing mines on Earth—the Cannington Silver Deposit. This world-class operation has been a cornerstone of global silver, lead, and zinc production, yielding millions of ounces of precious metal each year. In this video, we take an exclusive look at the geology, history, and massive scale of this extraordinary underground mine, exploring the factors that make Cannington one of the richest silver-lead-zinc deposits in existence.
Cannington is not just another silver mine. It stands as a testament to over a billion years of geological processes, shaped by the powerful forces of metamorphism, tectonic activity, and hydrothermal enrichment. Once hidden beneath thick layers of sediment and rock, this high-grade deposit was only discovered in 1990 through advanced geophysical exploration, forever changing Australia’s position in the global silver market. Today, the mine continues to extract an astonishing volume of silver, producing nearly 30 million ounces per year, making it one of the most productive operations of its kind.
This video uncovers the science behind Cannington’s formation, revealing how the breakup of the ancient supercontinent Nuna led to the creation of deep sedimentary basins, where metal-rich hydrothermal fluids concentrated vast amounts of silver, lead, and zinc. Over millions of years, intense metamorphism and faulting reshaped the deposit, folding ore lenses into complex, sinuous patterns that still challenge modern miners. The result is a mineralized system of extraordinary purity and economic importance, one that continues to fuel global industries and investment markets.
Step inside the massive underground workings of Cannington, where cutting-edge mining technology extracts ore from deep beneath the surface. From horizontal drives and shaft systems to haul trucks navigating through dimly lit tunnels, this video provides an in-depth look at the sheer scale of operations. The mine’s advanced processing facilities crush and refine the ore, separating the valuable metals from waste rock and preparing them for export to smelters worldwide. With rich silver-bearing galena, sphalerite, and freibergite forming the backbone of the deposit, every ton of ore extracted from Cannington carries immense value.
This is more than just a mine—it is a geological marvel and a modern engineering feat that plays a critical role in the world’s silver supply. Whether you are fascinated by mining, geology, or the sheer magnitude of resource extraction, this video offers an inside look at one of the most important silver deposits ever discovered. Join us as we go deep underground to explore the legendary Cannington Mine and the incredible story behind its formation, discovery, and ongoing impact on the global metals market.
Link to Video on Broken Hill Silver Deposit:
Studies Used To Construct This Video:
Discovery and Geology of the Cannington Ag-Pb-Zn Deposit, Mount Isa Eastern Succession, Australia: Development and Application of an Exploration Model for Broken Hill-Type Deposits:
Paragenetic relationships and their implications for ore genesis at the Cannington Ag-Pb-Zn deposit, Mount Isa Inlier, Queensland, Australia:
Geology and mineralization of the Cannington Ag-Pb-Zn deposit; an example of Broken Hill-type mineralization in the eastern succession, Mount Isa Inlier, Australia:
Geophysical Responses over the Cannington Ag-Zn-Pb Deposit-Queensland:
Vein and skarn formation at the Cannington Ag-Pb-Zn deposit, northeastern Australia:
Stratiform and Strata-Bound Zn-Pb-Ag Deposits in Proterozoic Sedimentary Basins, Northern Australia:
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