The Britannia Mine Museum has unveiled its newly transformed visitor attraction. The enhanced site features exciting new venues for fun family entertainment and engagement about mining, local arts and culture, restored heritage buildings, historical research and preservation, and education exhibits and services.

“These are exciting times for the Museum and we’re so pleased with the results of our extensive restoration and renovations. Everyone poured their heart and soul into their work and it’s evident when you explore the new exhibits,” says Kirstin Clausen, Executive Director of the Museum. “This transformation wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of all our contractors and suppliers, as well as the generous contributions of our partners. We can’t wait to share this new chapter with our visitors.”

The new Beaty-Lundin Visitor Centre sets the stage as visitors first walk onto the site. The centre houses several theatrical mining and mineral exhibits including a unique “mining tornado” structure filled with everyday items that mining has influenced, a new theatre space, a gift shop and the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame.

Also new is the Britannia A-Z Exhibit Hall, a restored heritage building showcasing the stories of the Britannia community between 1904 to 1974 when it existed as a mining town. Visitors will step back in time and learn about the more than 60,000 people from over 50 countries who lived and worked in Britannia throughout the 70 years.

At Museum, visitors can stroll along the tree-lined boardwalk and feel the thrill of discovering gold panning under a beautiful red cedar post and beam roof structure. The ever popular underground mine and train ride will thrill adventure seekers of all ages. Explore inside an authentic mine tunnel and learn about what life was like for miners working underground.

The awe-inspiring 20-storey Mill building is a National Historic Site and one of the last remaining gravity-fed concentrator mills in North America. Restored in 2007, each of the 14,416 panes of glass was hand-puttied into the frames to maintain its heritage.

To date, the Museum has received more than $6 million from private individuals as well as the matched $7 million from government.

Major donors include Teck Resources Ltd, Ross Beaty, Lucas Lundin, as well as Placer Dome Inc, Northern Dynasty Minerals, and Gold Corp (a complete list is listed below). We are still looking to raise the final funds for this exciting project.

These substantial donations reflect the mining industry’s continued support in the Museum and confidence in this project that represent Canada’s mining history. Mining in the past, present and future will be reflected in the Museum’s exhibits, highway presence and visitor experience.

“We are honored that industry and government has donated to the Britannia Project. The development represents our new direction and will transform the Museum into a world-class destination celebrating mining in BC, the history of this community, and environmental sustainability” said Kirstin Clausen, Executive Director of the Britannia Mine Museum.

Partners & Supporters

Patron $1,000,000 +
Government of Canada
Provincial Government of British Columbia
Teck Resources Limited
Ross Beaty
Lukas Lundin
Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Platinum Partner $750,000-$999,999
Placer Dome Inc.
Red Back Mining Inc.

Gold Partner $500,000-$749,000
Goldcorp Inc.
Taseko Mines Limited
Keegan Resources Inc.

Silver Partner $250,000-$499,999
Dr. Rui Feng and Family
Silver Wheaton Corporation

Bronze Partner $50,000-$249,000
Extorre Gold Mines Ltd.
Hallbauer Foundation
Salman Partners Inc.
Barrick Gold Corporation
Deloitte PricewaterhouseCoopers
Exeter Resource Corporation
SMS Equipment Inc.
Underworld Resources Inc.
Robert Quartermain
Silverquest Resources Ltd.

Copper Partner $25,000-$49,999
Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia
Dumoulin Black LLP
Finning (Canada)
Mining Association of British Columbia
Yale Simpson

Friend of Britannia Project $5,000-$24,999
Allan Waisman
Centerra Gold
Coast Aggregates Ltd.
Donald A. McLeod, Bruce McLeod and Catherine McLeod-Seltzer
Donald McInnes Family
INCO Ltd.
KPMG
Michael Gray Family
Michael McPhie Family
Mining Suppliers Contractors and Consultants of BC
New Gold Inc.
Roman Friedrich III
The Gavin Dirom Families
International Royalty Corporation
Full Metal Minerals Ltd.
Ledford Lilley