The mining and processing of copper ore in South Australia's early history were based on Cornish practice and technology. The discovery of copper deposits, which led to what proved to be economically viable operations in the new colony, proved timely, since it coincided with the decline of major world-scale copper and tin-mining fields in the southwest of England. Thus, literally thousands of miners who had been thrown out of work through the closure of operations in those districts were drawn abroad to South Australia to the new opportunities offered through indentured immigration schemes to operate new mines, chief of which proved to be Kapunda (1844-78), Burra Burra (1845-77) and Wallaroo-Moonta (1860-1923). And there were literally hundreds of other prospects (paraded as mines) whose generally fine sounding names reflected the optimism attached by their discovers to their expectations at that time. As the mines were developed and their underground openings penetrated to the water table, there was a new requirement to instal engines for driving water pumps that served to keep the openings dry, for haulage of ore and for operating crushers, stamps and ore-dressing plant. Cornish beam pumping engines and rotative engines of the kind which had performed so serviceably for almost 150 years were introduced to enable the dewatering of South Australian mines, and for driving machinery. Enginehouses which were built to support these powerful machines transformed the major SA mining fields to resemble the landscapes from whence they were inspired. On occasion, houses were built and engines installed without sound knowledge of the resource underfoot or of its economic worth to justify such effort and investment. Greg Drew and Jack Connell have traced the fascinating history of the development of steam power in its adaption to the mining industry, and of the beam engines, their duties and operation. In this publication they present a thoroughly researched historical review from a SA perspective that includes engineering aspects and practices of a mining era that had such a profound impact on this State's development. The study gives new meaning to, and understanding of, surviving mine relics, the most imposing of which remain the tall houses which were constructed to support engines whose place in our mining heritage is not generally recognised.