Latitude: 34°53'0"S
Longitude: 138°46'4"E
Map Sheet No.: S 54-5 6628-11
Copper was discovered here in 1845 and mining began a year later (1846), approx 10 miles east-north-east from Adelaide, near the Victoria Gold Mine. Several rich pockets of ore were found as well as the inclusion of both gold and silver.
Large amounts of work were done up until 1950, when the exodus of men to the goldfields in Ballarat and Bendigo, Victoria took many of the miners from South Australia.
Further Work was done at varying times, from 1863 onwards. Workings consisted of numerous shafts, adits and shallow pits. During the period of mining in 1894, 13oz of gold was discovered in the creek, leading to renewed interest in the mine for gold, rather than copper. Total production was estimated at approx 281 tonnes of ore.
Original (1846-50) assays gave, copper ore (up to 40% copper) recovered, average 28% (probably hand dressed). Recorded production figures show 277 tons of ore, this is known to be an incomplete record.
Recent explorations and drilling have found Co and Ni mineralisation as well.
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The Adelaide Mine, on the Sixth Creek near Montacute, was discovered in the late 1840s and made a rather brilliant spurt in 1863 when a rich, though limited, deposit of gold was found in the gossan accompanying the copper ore, but on account of the "hardness of the country" the workings were not carried on, but a few years later the shares were bought up by wealthy men with a view to working it again. However, operations were soon suspended and, ultimately, this freehold property was purchased by the Messrs Scott. In the early 1880s, the two brothers prospected over the ground and, with a good supply of water in the creek, "five tons [of ore] were sold to the E. & A. Copper Company."
Source: State Library of South Australia website.
Mineral List
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References
Record of mines - Summary card No:1, S 54-5 6628-11
State Library of South Australia website.
Gee, L.C.E. & Brown, H.Y.L., 1908, Record of The Mines of South Australia, 4th ed., Government Printer, Adelaide.
SARIG Mineral Deposit Information, Site No: 478896.
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