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The Mining Town Where People Live Under the Earth (cnet.com)
Claire Reilly, writing for CNET: After spending a night in an underground rock cave in the middle of the Australian desert, I learned three things: The silence is deafening. Your eyes never adjust to the darkness. And if nobody brushes the ceiling before you arrive, that clump of dirt is going to scare the living hell out of you when it drops on your face at 2 a.m. I've flown 1,200 miles for the privilege of sleeping in a hole in Coober Pedy. There's no Wi-Fi down here. The glare of my MacBook feels obnoxious in the subterranean stillness. The TV plays ads for a "local" cleaning service from the next town over, but that just happens to be 400 miles away. Australia is a country defined by "the tyranny of distance," but traveling to the underground opal mining town of Coober Pedy feels like taking a holiday on Mars.
In the middle of the South Australian desert and an eight hour drive in either direction from the nearest capital city (Adelaide to the south or Alice Springs to the north), Coober Pedy is off the grid and mostly hidden underground. More than half the residents live buried in the bedrock in cavelike homes called "dugouts" in order to escape freezing winters, scorching summers and the occasional cyclone. Often, the only sign you're walking on someone's roof is the air vent that's sprouted up next to your boots. While first nation peoples have lived in the central Australian desert for thousands of years, the Coober Pedy we know today wouldn't exist without opals. Miners rushed here in the 1920s, enduring extreme conditions to hunt for the multicolored gems, digging, bulldozing and eventually blasting out earth in a bid to find the elusive seam that would make them rich. Living in Coober Pedy is not just about surviving. It's about carving out a way of life in one of the harshest environments on the planet.
[...] "It's not like we're living thousands of kilometers under the ground," he tells me. "It's pretty similar to living in a normal house." Sam's family, who live in a dugout close to Crocodile Harry's, have solar panels for power -- but those generate only enough electricity for a few hours a day. Diesel handles the rest, he says. "We have to rely on tourists to pay for our fuel," he says. "Gasoline is valuable out here. Fuel is really expensive." That means no fridge running all day and night -- they keep nonperishable food and get the rest from town every day. Otherwise, life is pretty similar to what other 18-year-olds in the city experience. Sam says he can still charge his phone and use the TV "for a bit." "We have internet when the generator's on. Dad's got an Xbox but we don't even try to use the solar for that."
In the middle of the South Australian desert and an eight hour drive in either direction from the nearest capital city (Adelaide to the south or Alice Springs to the north), Coober Pedy is off the grid and mostly hidden underground. More than half the residents live buried in the bedrock in cavelike homes called "dugouts" in order to escape freezing winters, scorching summers and the occasional cyclone. Often, the only sign you're walking on someone's roof is the air vent that's sprouted up next to your boots. While first nation peoples have lived in the central Australian desert for thousands of years, the Coober Pedy we know today wouldn't exist without opals. Miners rushed here in the 1920s, enduring extreme conditions to hunt for the multicolored gems, digging, bulldozing and eventually blasting out earth in a bid to find the elusive seam that would make them rich. Living in Coober Pedy is not just about surviving. It's about carving out a way of life in one of the harshest environments on the planet.
[...] "It's not like we're living thousands of kilometers under the ground," he tells me. "It's pretty similar to living in a normal house." Sam's family, who live in a dugout close to Crocodile Harry's, have solar panels for power -- but those generate only enough electricity for a few hours a day. Diesel handles the rest, he says. "We have to rely on tourists to pay for our fuel," he says. "Gasoline is valuable out here. Fuel is really expensive." That means no fridge running all day and night -- they keep nonperishable food and get the rest from town every day. Otherwise, life is pretty similar to what other 18-year-olds in the city experience. Sam says he can still charge his phone and use the TV "for a bit." "We have internet when the generator's on. Dad's got an Xbox but we don't even try to use the solar for that."
It fits.
That means no fridge running all day and night.
The average energy drain of modern refrigerator is 25-40 watts. Actual power drain while the compressor is running is 100-150 watts. If they have any power at all on a 24 hour basis they should be able to run a refrigerator, though perhaps not open the door for part of the day to keep the compressor from kicking on. Since they do have power part of the day for sure, a 0.5 kWh battery should cover the refrigerator nicely.
Starships were meant to fly, Hands up and touch the sky - Nicky Minaj
> "It's not like we're living thousands of kilometers under the ground," he tells me.
No, not at all. That would be quite a bit hotter.
Towards the end, Jedediah the Pilot and his son live in a cave hideout at the end of the railroad line. I believe that was shot in Coober Pedy. listed in the credits.
Take a look at the houses in the story. Nice circular doorways, round rooms. They could use some sprucing up of the paneling and such, but it looks like a Hobbit burrow.
Starships were meant to fly, Hands up and touch the sky - Nicky Minaj
From de article: "have solar panels for power -- but those generate only enough electricity for a few hours a day"
Come on! Solar panels today are cheap enough to supply almost all the power you need. I have just 8 in my house and that's already enough to use power lavishly.
I guess they sort of enjoy to live like that. That's the only possible explanation.
It reminds me of "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" by Heinlein.
Otherwise, life is pretty similar to what other 18-year-olds in the city experience.
Ummm, no it isn't. It isn't much like life in any city. Not saying it's better or worse but it definitely isn't what I'd call similar. For one thing I'm pretty confident the dating scene isn't exactly a target rich environment. And 24/7 access to electricity and places to go use it is not a trivial difference.
As our planet reaches environmental catastrophe, and hits it's tipping point, you'll see more and more underground living. All those living in desert countries (like Australia) will be the first.
I mean seriously! You kids today! Not knowing classic 19th century Science Fiction!
I bet you never read your books in the snow! Uphill! Both ways!
ON PAPER BOOKS!!
You whipper snappers and your "ereaders" and phones and tablets....
Never mind!
There's a "Matlock" marathon on and it's banana pudding day! And Bertha is giving me the eye. I may have to take Viagra tonight.
It's gonna be a late one! I'll probably be up until 7PM!
So pretty much Mad Max already.
... in the blue sky mine
there'll be food on the table tonight.
If you're barely able to afford enough proper solar panels (in Australia!!!) to run your kit then you're doing something wrong. It should be p*ss easy to get a 10kW system up and running which would do pretty much all your needs. Need something for night time? Get a lifepo4 battery storage system sorted - there's plenty of choice out there (for example, a Sofar solar storage inverter, and whatever battery you want (even lead acid!))
It looks like the guy needs to get the hell out of there, and take his kids with him! Or sort that solar out!
(Harsh, but seriously, growing up in the middle of nowhere sucks)
Interesting place to visit, but I woyuldn't want to live there. Spent a few days in Coober Pedy during January, 1992 when I was working down south in Woomera. Pretty much a ghost town at that time of year. Crocodile Harry's was a hoot. Took a day trip with a fellow who delivered mail to some of the stations to the east. 300 km on dirt roads for six deliveries.
Geology - it's not rocket science; it's rock science
How in the hell is this news? Coober Pedy has been like this since well before the 1976 National Geographic Magazine article that I ready about it.
Firstly Alice Springs isn't a Capital City. Darwin is the Capital of the Northern Territory and it's another 13 hour drive (at 70-80mph) after Alice Springs to get there.
Like all mining towns it's dirty, expensive and doesn't offer much in the way of culture. It exists just because of its location and when the gems are all dug up it will be left as a series of holes in the ground. There are similar places in the US.
Capital of the Northern Territory is Darwin... another ~1500km further North.
Clearly the author of the story possesses neither a map nor any knowledge of Australia. A few corrections to the story: Coober Pedy is not in the "middle of the South Australian desert", it's near the border between two deserts. Failure to understand such things has resulted in others losing their lives due after making poor decisions. Alice Springs is not a capital city, not even close, it's a regional centre. Those "holes in the ground" provide very comfortable living indeed. It seems the author is just another foreign winger that doesn't know shit from desert dirt but want to express ill formed opinions for anyone who is prepared to read them. We have a number of words for people like that and I personally think 'moron' is fitting in this case. By the way fucktard, the light level of the Macbook is actually adjustable, just for such situations.
"The Mole People"
Now we are talking. Every story should always be put in comtext of white guilt. Allow me to add some points.
1. They are racist because they are white
2. They killed off all the noble natives because they are genocidal white people.
3. The hot weather was their own doing as they voted for Donald Trump, who creates climate change.
4. They are raping mother earth for her jewels
5. They are hicks because they dont watch enough television and are not active on Reddit like all good non racists.
6. They are all creepy old white people
7. They use fossile fuels which destroy the environment, unlike good liberals who buy their power from the electric company.
Finally their most egregious sin is they are white.
Sorry, i just could not see an entire story go by without putting it in context of the crazy stoopit arguments between liberal and conservatives. Remember, you are wither a racist or a communist.
Why the hell is this crap here. I mean seriously. A new low?
Ever wonder who wants to live in the middle of nowhere? People fleeing the law or life in general, like Serbian war criminals.
"The glare of my MacBook feels obnoxious" - the glare of a Macbook is ALWAYS obnoxious...
Which is important there. They also have plenty of mining equipment on hand to dig the holes. They still cost more than an above ground house. But in the heat, you want to be down. Most are dug into the side of a hill.
Cooper Pedy is a wild, unruly place. Lots of people living on the edge trying to strike it rich by finding that one rich seam of opal. Many small mines owner operated. Everybody secretive about what they find. You do not want to be too curious wondering around the mine sites or you might end up joining the many bodies thought to be buried under various shafts.
Worth a visit.
I believe the real name is Goober Pedy not Coober Pedy.
Better luck next time?
What do you mean better luck?! You want the job finished like in Tasmania?
> the government mandates that NBN provides equal internet access to all Australians
It would appear the author somehow slipped into an almost-parallel dimension and has been to the other Australia.
"That means no fridge running all day and night." That's why Uncle Owen told Luke he's shutting down the power for the night. Including the refr. Although Aunt Buru does use an electric food processor.
I mean seriously. A new low?
No fairly close to the surface actually. Like the guy says "It's not like we're living thousands of kilometers under the ground ..."
...and too deep. You know what they awoke in the darkness of Khazad-dÃm... shadow and ...
They get their perishable stuff from town. Thus from the shop/store where it's a good idea to put fridges in and probably your ages old ammonia cooling.
It's not that hard to live without a fridge at home, you can pile on non perishable and cans and for fresh stuff, eat it shortly after buying it (and even then eggs, cheese don't need a fridge much. I'm assuming the underground lairs have a cool and steady temperature..)
You mean the one next to Germany?
Given that one has to run lights 24 hours a day underground and solar panels are day time only power, isn't it going to take some batteries to supply one's electric needs?
Umm, yes... This is not a revelation.
Also, there is the question of wiring lengths. 24V DC needs some pretty large conductors to get very far carrying usable current levels.
This is not a serious issue. The issue is digging the hole for the wire, not the gauge of the wire. The cost differential between a big fat wire and a more modest one is extremely modest compared with the cost of solar panels, the battery, and the trenching/digging to get the cables where they are needed.
Not to mention the toxic nature of battery chemistry, marking the need to keep them away from living spaces and providing adequate ventilation.
Just because the people are underground doesn't mean the batteries would need to be. And even if they were that is a well understood problem with well understood solutions. Batteries are used in pretty much every mine on the planet.
One doesn't need lead acid batteries underground, nor are LiIon options necessarily safe.
There are many battery chemistries available and I'm rather confident at least one of them would work just fine.
Elan Musk has already proven that his company can provide solar and battery power to large areas. It would be pocket change for him to toss out a small farm to provide constant residential power to this place. It would also fit is rather eccentric personality to do so. I'm honestly surprised he hasn't done so already to proof of concept his solution to isolated power grids.
We spent some time in Coober Pedy 20 years ago, prior to setting out on a camel trek. It's a really interesting place - as noted, many homes underground - if you've dug the tunnel for your mine, then you might as well live in the hole. The rock is very soft and they use a sort of large chainsaw like machine to dig it, and air pressure to blow the dust up and out (filtering out any large chunks, which are likely opal, which is a lot harder than the surrounding soft rock). There's conical piles of spoil everywhere.
Sure it's isolated, sure it's self reliant, but they have cellphone service, TV, internet, etc. THere's supermarkets and movie theaters. It's just like hundreds of other small to medium towns out in the middle of nowhere in the world, including the US. As a comparison, there are other *smaller* places in Australia (and the US). For instance, Woomera is a sort of weird company town out in the middle of nowhere on the way to Coober Pedy. It's part of a military test range (rockets, missiles, atomic weapons), and I think there's some sort of prison there, too. In Mercury/Gemini/Apollo days, there was a tracking station out there. William Creek is an even smaller collection of residences. It's not much different from places out in the Southwest of the US, like the bustling metropolis of Zyzzx, Cartago, Olancha. If I were to compare Coober Pedy to a town in California, maybe something like Independence or Lone Pine, maybe even Bishop (both Coober Pedy and Bishop are about population 3000)
What is particularly unique is that basically everyone in town does something with opal mining. Either you mine full time, or it's your side job, while you sell services and things to miners. There are tourists, but I didn't get the impression it's a particularly touristy place. Everyone there is pretty optimistic - all miners are optimists - today is the day I'm going to be digging a new bookshelf in my bedroom and find a whacking great lump of high quality opal. That kind of thing happens just often enough that everyone is insipired - even if the average day's take is more like a small handful of medium quality opal gravel.
But this isn't much different from "single industry" towns in other places - Ranching, Lumber, etc. If you live in St. Helena, CA, in the middle of Napa Valley, odds are that you do something with the wine industry. (And, St. Helena is a lot greener than Coober Pedy, even in midsummer)
Coober Pedy (and other similar mining towns) used to be a place where you could disappear - if things were getting a bit unpleasant in your home country, and you could make it to Coober Pedy, you could find itinerant work and survive. Nobody asked too many questions, etc.
But I understand that with the modern world and internet (the Stuart highway was finally completely paved in the 1980s), this is becoming less so. While your neighbors may not enquire too closely, but government most certainly will.
the next town over, but that just happens to be 400 miles away
get the [nonperishable food] from town every day
I had to re-read the article at first, thinking it was saying they were 400 miles out of town, and went 400 miles for food every day. And finally realized "Oh, THEIR TOWN is 400 miles away from the next town." Something about this writer's article made me feel like these were just random rovers living in holes I guess. I especially like that the writer complains about his eyes never adjusting to the darkness while at the same time talking about using assumably full brightness on his Macbook.