Three land systems are recognized in the area of Broken Hill mine. They are: 1) the Nine Mile
land system, 2) the Fowlers land system and 3) the Barrier land system.
The Nine Mile Land System is the lower slopes of and outwash from the Barrier Ranges. It is
generally composed of low ridges up to 30 meters in height with drainage along narrow to major
creeks. The soils are predominantly ferruginous soil and sand and the vegetation is dominated by
Acacia species, blue bushes, and native grasses such as bottle washers, spear grasses and
copperburrs.
The Barrier land system comprises the higher areas of the Barrier Ranges with relief up to 80
meters. Drainage lines are narrow and incised and there is little drainage development. Skeletal
lithosols dominate the system. Vegetation is similar to the Nine Mile land system, with increased
river red gum and saltbush, as well wild hops along the hill slopes.
The Fowlers land system is comprised of floodplain country up to 3 kilometers wide. Soils range
from red earths and duplex soils as well as brown clay soils. The vegetation is dominated by
grasses with bladder saltbush and blue bush locally common.
The topography of the mine area is one of low relief. The center of the Broken Hill mine area is a
prominent but moderate-sized NE trending ridge or hill and the town of Broken Hill flanks the
mine property on the west and east. Climate plays no significant role in the operation of the
Broken Hill mine.