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Historian solves Mt Lyell mine mystery

A TASMANIAN historian claims he has revealed the truth behind one of the largest mining disasters in Australian history.

A fire at the Mount Lyell copper mine in Queenstown killed 42 miners in October 1912.

Inquiries into the incident have been inconclusive and the cause of the fire has been debated for nearly 100 years.

While a royal commission says the fire could not have started by an electrical fault, retired electrical engineer and legislative councillor, Peter Schulze, says his research suggests it is likely electricity caused the fire.

"I thought that it's right the truth finally comes out, be it nearly 100 years later,” he said.

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