Who Are We?

The Britannia Mine Museum is a world-class historical destination that promotes mining awareness through entertaining, experiential education programs, important historic collection preservation and insightful public engagement about the environment and sustainability issues.

What Do We Do?

The Museum targets local, national and international tourists and students of all ages who come to experience the thrill of our underground train ride and gold panning adventures, and to learn more about BC's mining practices of the past, present and future. We provide a unique blend of entertainment and information that allows guests to leave with a better understanding of mining, not only from a historical perspective, but to be aware of the impact of mining in our day-to-day lives.

Who Runs the Museum?

Governed by a Board of Directors of the Britannia Beach Historical Society (BBHS), the Board of eminent mining and business individuals give their full support to the team of professional staff who run this well-recognized, non-profit organization. The BBHS was incorporated in 1971 to preserve BC's mining heritage and to educate the public, through exhibits and public programming. The Museum, which is both a National Historic Site and a BC Historic Landmark, is a self-sustaining, non-profit organization. As a valuable educational resource to the mining industry, the Museum has strong relationships with industry and its leaders.

What Can I See at the Museum?

• Fifteen historic buildings and an historic haulage tunnel sit adjacent to our most dominant and admired building, Mill 3. The basis for our National Historic Site status, this twenty-storey structure is built onto the side of the majestic Howe Sound coastal mountains.


• You'll see one of the last gravity-fed Concentrators in North America. The iconic Mill building received a $5 million, two-year exterior renovation 'face lift', completed in 2007. It is arguably the most significant visual milestone in the rehabilitation of this former mining community.


• The EPCOR Britannia Mine Water Treatment Plant is a fine example of Britannia's environmental mediation legacy. A victim of acid-rock drainage for decades, the site was one of BC's worst sources of marine pollution. Yet today, it is an example of environmental stewardship in action. The facility removes copper, iron, zinc, aluminum, manganese and cadmium. EPCOR has a 20 year guaranteed performance contract with the province to operate and maintain the mine and water treatment facilities. A micro-turbine, powered by the out flowing water, is used to help power the treatment plant.

What Can I Do at the Museum?

Onsite entertainment and activities include:

• Guided tours of the site and underground tunnel


• Mining demonstrations and hands-on activities


• Underground train ride deep inside a mining tunnel


• Museum displays that explore BC mining history


• Gold-panning

What Are Our Plans for the Future?

The recently completed $5 million rehabilitation of the Mill - the large 20-storey building seen from Highway 99 - exemplifies our goal of improving the aesthetic, heritage and curatorial value of the Museum. The forthcoming Britannia Master Plan, a major redevelopment project, offers some insight into the exciting future for the Britannia Mine Museum.

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