West Coast Tasmania Mines

The mines of the West Coast of Tasmania have a rich historical heritage as well as an important mineralogical value in containing or having had found, specimens of rare and unusual minerals. Also, the various mining fields have important roles in the understanding of the mineralization of the Mount Read Volcanics, and the occurrence of economic minerals.

List of named mines

The list below is a partial collation of the names of mines that have existed, a considerable number are found on or adjacent to the West Coast Range. Other mines and leases with different names may have existed.

• The place names after the name of the mine are as found in records, and may not be accurate.
• Where possible, subheadings are created for entries such as Mount Lyell, where different workings at the mine were named, and some common usages do not necessarily relate to company or Mines Department records
• It is not a list of exploration leases, or "finds" where a mineral has been found on the west coast.

• Adelaide Proprietary Mine,^[1]Dundas
• Austral Mine,^[2] Zeehan
• Boulder Mine,^[3] North Dundas ^[4][5]
• Britannia Mine,^[6] Zeehan
• British-Zeehan Mine, Zeehan ^[7]
• Central Balstrup Mine, Zeehan ^[8]
• Colebrook Mine, Rosebery ^[9]
• Comet Mine, Dundas ^[10]
• Comstock Mine, Zeehan
• Cumberland Tin Mine, Mount Heemskirk ^[11]
• Curtin Davis Mine, Dundas ^[12]
• Dundas Extended, Dundas ^[13]
• East Hercules Mine, Rosebery ^[14]
• Farrell Mine, Tullah (also as North Farrell) ^[15]
• Federation Mine, Mount Heemskirk ^[16]
• Fraser Creek Mine, North East Dundas
• Grubbs Mine, Zeehan ^[17]
• Hal Jukes, Mount Jukes
• Hecla Curtin Mine, Dundas ^[18]
• Henty Gold Mine, Henty River
• Hercules Mine, Mount Read
• Hydes, Mount Jukes (West) ^[19]
• Jukes Proprietary, Mount Jukes ^[20]
• Junction Mine, Zeehan ^[21]
• King Jukes Mine, Crotty ^[22][23]
• Lake Jukes, Crotty ^[24]
• Magnet Mine, Waratah
• Maynes Mine, Mount Heemskirk ^[25]
• Melba Mine, North Dundas
• Montana Mine, Zeehan ^[26]
• Montana Western Extended Mine ^[27]
• Mount Black Mine, Rosbery ^[28]
• Mount Bischoff, Mount Bischoff
• Mount Darwin, Mount Darwin
• Mount Farrell Mine, Tullah ^[29]
• Mount Lyell, Queenstown
  • Cape Horn ^[30]
  • Comstock (also known as Lyell Comstock, in close proximity to Cape Horn)
  • Crown Lyell ^[31]
  • Flux Quarry
  • Iron Blow - site lost with opening of the large open cut ^[32][33]
  • Lyell Blocks ^[34]
  • Open Cut (also known as West Lyell Open Cut)
  • Prince Lyell
  • Royal Tharsis Open cut
  • Royal Tharsis underground ^[35][36]
  • Tharsis
  • Twelve West
  • West Lyell (also known as Open Cut) ^[37]
  • West Tharsis
• North Farrell Mine, Tullah
• North Mount Lyell, Gormanston
• Oonah Mine, Zeehan ^[38]
• Queen Jukes, Mount Jukes
• Prince Darwin, Mount Darwin
• Razorback Mine, Dundas ^[39]
• Renison Bell Mine, Renison Bell
• Silver Queen Mine, Zeehan ^[40][41]
• Silversteam Mine, Zeehan
• Spray Mine, Zeehan ^[42]
• Susanite Mine, Zeehan ^[43]
• Tasmanian Copper Mine, Rosebery
• Taylours Reward, Mount Jukes
• Tenth Legion Mine, Zeehan ^[44][45]
• West Comet Mine, Dundas ^[46]

List of Mining Field names

There are also designated mineral or mining 'fields'-

• Dundas ^[47]
• Jukes-Darwin Mining Field ^[48]
• Mount Farrell Mining Field ^[49]
• North Dundas
• North Heemskirk ^[50]
• Read - Rosebery ^[51]
• Rosebery ^[52]
• South Heemskirk ^[53]
• Zeehan ^[54][55][56]

Smelters

• Crotty ^[57][58]
• Mount Lyell ^[59]
• Tasmanian Metals Extraction Company, Rosebery, smelter ^[60]

Railways, trams and haulages

See Railways on the West Coast of Tasmania

Training and Educational

• Mt Lyell School of Mines and Industries in Queenstown ^[61][62][63]
• Zeehan School of Mines and Metallurgy

See also

• Geology of Tasmania
• West Coast Range

Notes

1. "MANAGERS' REPORTS.". Launceston Examiner (Tas. : 1842 - 1899). Tas.: National Library of Australia. 13 October 1893. p. 6. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
2. Note that newspaper reports call this mine the 'Austral Valley Mine'"ZEEHAN.". Daily Telegraph (Launceston, Tas. : 1883 - 1928). Launceston, Tas.: National Library of Australia. 11 January 1908. p. 7. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
3. "NORTH DUNDAS TINFIELD.". Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954). Launceston, Tas.: National Library of Australia. 11 June 1909. p. 2 Edition: DAILY. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
4. Waller, George A; Tasmania. Government Geologist's Office (1902), Report on the tin ore deposits of North Dundas, Government Geologist's Office, retrieved 9 February 2015
5. Conder, Hartwell; Tasmania. Department of Mines (1918), The tin field of North Dundas, Dept. of Mines, retrieved 9 February 2015
6. "ZEEHAN MINES.". Daily Telegraph (Launceston, Tas. : 1883 - 1928). Launceston, Tas.: National Library of Australia. 26 October 1923. p. 2. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
7. "BRITISH ZEEHAN.". Daily Telegraph (Launceston, Tas. : 1883 - 1928). Launceston, Tas.: National Library of Australia. 4 August 1900. p. 8. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
8. "CENTRAL BALSTRUP". Daily Telegraph. XXVI, (209). Tasmania, Australia. 1 September 1906. p. 4. Retrieved 6 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
9. "COLEBROOK MINE". Daily Telegraph. XXVIII, (235). Tasmania, Australia. 30 September 1908. p. 2. Retrieved 6 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
10. "MINING MEETINGS.". Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954). Launceston, Tas.: National Library of Australia. 25 December 1900. p. 2 Edition: DAILY. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
11. "MINING MEETINGS.". Launceston Examiner (Tas. : 1842 - 1899). Tas.: National Library of Australia. 24 December 1880. p. 2. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
12. "NO. 1. CURTIN-DAVIS MINE.". Daily Telegraph. XVII, (149). Tasmania, Australia. 26 June 1897. p. 6. Retrieved 5 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
13. "DUNDAS EXTENDED.". Daily Telegraph. XXI, (127). Tasmania, Australia. 29 May 1901. p. 8. Retrieved 6 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
14. "MINING NEWS.". The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931). Adelaide, SA: National Library of Australia. 6 April 1915. p. 10. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
15. "NORTH MOUNT FARRELL.". The Examiner (Tasmania). LXXIV, (100). Tasmania, Australia. 28 April 1915. p. 2 (DAILY). Retrieved 6 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
16. "Report on the Federation Tin Mine, Heemskirk.". Zeehan And Dundas Herald. XXXII, (59). Tasmania, Australia. 21 December 1920. p. 2. Retrieved 6 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
17. Although a report about of number of mines, Grubbs is in the middle of the article "ZEEHAN.". Launceston Examiner. LIII, (193). Tasmania, Australia. 15 August 1893. p. 6. Retrieved 6 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
18. "HECLA CURTIN MINE.". Launceston Examiner. LVII, (131). Tasmania, Australia. 3 June 1897. p. 3. Retrieved 6 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
19. "HYDE'S SECTIONS.". Zeehan And Dundas Herald. XVI, (125). Tasmania, Australia. 10 March 1905. p. 4. Retrieved 6 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
20. "JUKES PROPRIETARY.". The Examiner (Tasmania). LXVI, (41). Tasmania, Australia. 16 February 1907. p. 4 (DAILY.). Retrieved 6 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
21. "THE JUNCTION MINE, ZEEHAN.". Daily Telegraph (Launceston, Tas. : 1883 - 1928). Launceston, Tas.: National Library of Australia. 14 October 1892. p. 3. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
22. "KING JUKES MINE.". Launceston Examiner (Tas. : 1842 - 1899). Tas.: National Library of Australia. 19 October 1899. p. 2. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
23. "MT. JUKES COPPER FIELD.". The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 2 October 1899. p. 9. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
24. "LAKE JUKES MINE.". Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954). Launceston, Tas.: National Library of Australia. 5 October 1904. p. 2 Edition: DAILY. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
25. "A NEW TIN FIND.". Daily Telegraph (Launceston, Tas. : 1883 - 1928). Launceston, Tas.: National Library of Australia. 18 April 1902. p. 4. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
26. Hart, J. G. (John G.); Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (Australia); University of Melbourne. Department of Mining (1940), Flotation of silver-lead ore from the Montana Mine, Zeehan, Tas, CSIR and Metallurgical Laboratory, University of Melbourne, retrieved 22 February 2015
27. Hart, J. G. (John G.); Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (Australia); University of Melbourne. Department of Mining (1937), Preliminary investigation of silver-lead ore from the Montana Western Extended Mine, Zeehan, Tas, CSIR and Metallurgical Laboratory, University of Melbourne, retrieved 22 February 2015
28. "MOUNT BLACK MINE.". Launceston Examiner. LIX, (116). Tasmania, Australia. 16 May 1899. p. 3. Retrieved 6 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
29. "MOUNT FARRELL MINE.". Evening News (12,411). New South Wales, Australia. 21 March 1907. p. 5. Retrieved 6 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
30. Green, Geoffrey Richard (1971), Geology and mineralization of the Cape Horn - Lyell Comstock area, Mt Lyell, retrieved 9 February 2015
31. "THE CROWN LYELL MINE". The Examiner (Tasmania). LXVII, (151). Tasmania, Australia. 25 June 1908. p. 2 (DAILY). Retrieved 6 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
32. "THE " IRON BLOW " CASE.". Tasmanian News. , (998). Tasmania, Australia. 8 February 1887. p. 3. Retrieved 6 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
33. "THE IRON BLOW AT THE LINDA GOLDFIELD.". Launceston Examiner. XLIX, (93). Tasmania, Australia. 18 April 1889. p. 3. Retrieved 6 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
34. referring to the Blocks company "LYELL.". Zeehan and Dundas Herald (Tas. : 1890 - 1922). Tas.: National Library of Australia. 19 March 1913. p. 4. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
35. "INCREASED PRICE OF COPPER WELCOME NEWS FOR MOUNT LYELL SHAREHOLDERS". The Mercury. CLXVIII, (24,958). Tasmania, Australia. 16 December 1950. p. 14. Retrieved 6 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
36. Godsall, William J. D (1997), Alteration as a vector to copper mineralisation in the Royal Tharsis deposit, Mount Lyell mineral field, retrieved 6 November 2016
37. "West Coast News". The Advocate (Australia). Tasmania, Australia. 19 December 1953. p. 17. Retrieved 6 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
38. "THE OONAH MINE.". Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954). Launceston, Tas.: National Library of Australia. 21 February 1910. p. 2 Edition: DAILY. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
39. "RAZORBACK MINE, DUNDAS.". The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954). Hobart, Tas.: National Library of Australia. 16 April 1924. p. 4. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
40. "DISCOVERY ON THE SILVER QUEEN.". Launceston Examiner (Tas. : 1842 - 1899). Tas.: National Library of Australia. 17 September 1891. p. 3. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
41. "THE SILVER QUEEN.". Daily Telegraph (Launceston, Tas. : 1883 - 1928). Launceston, Tas.: National Library of Australia. 8 June 1894. p. 3. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
42. "THE SPRAY MINE.". Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954). Launceston, Tas.: National Library of Australia. 7 October 1908. p. 2 Edition: DAILY. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
43. "ZEEHAN.". Launceston Examiner. LIII, (193). Tasmania, Australia. 15 August 1893. p. 6. Retrieved 6 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
44. "ZEEHAN AND DISTRICT.". Daily Telegraph (Launceston, Tas. : 1883 - 1928). Launceston, Tas.: National Library of Australia. 6 November 1900. p. 3. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
45. "ZEEHAN AND DISTRICT.". Daily Telegraph (Launceston, Tas. : 1883 - 1928). Launceston, Tas.: National Library of Australia. 6 November 1900. p. 3. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
46. "DUNDAS.". Daily Telegraph. XVI, (177). Tasmania, Australia. 25 July 1896. p. 5. Retrieved 6 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
47. Reid, A. McIntosh; Tasmania. Department of Mines (1925), The Dundas mineral field, Dept. of Mines, retrieved 10 February 2015
48. Hills, Loftus; Tasmania. Department of Mines (1914), The Jukes-Darwin mining field, Dept. of Mines, retrieved 10 February 2015
49. "THE FARRELL FIELD.". The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954). Hobart, Tas.: National Library of Australia. 5 April 1906. p. 6. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
50. "NORTH HEEMSKIRK.". Launceston Examiner (Tas. : 1842 - 1899). Tas.: National Library of Australia. 21 July 1882. p. 3. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
51. "MOUNT READ-ROSEBERY FIELD.". The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954). Hobart, Tas.: National Library of Australia. 30 June 1919. p. 2. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
52. "THE ROSEBERY MINING FIELD.". The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954). Hobart, Tas.: National Library of Australia. 30 May 1899. p. 4. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
53. Waterhouse, L. Lawry; Tasmania. Department of Mines (1916), The South Heemskirk tin field, Dept. of Mines, retrieved 10 February 2015
54. Waller, George A (1904), Report on the Zeehan silver-lead mining field, with map and two plates, Government Printer, retrieved 10 February 2015
55. Twelvetrees, W. H. (William Harper); Ward, L. Keith (Leonard Keith), 1879-1964; Tasmania. Department of Mines (1909), Geological examination of the Zeehan Field : preliminary statement, Dept. of Mines, retrieved 10 February 2015
56. Pullen, Glenn C. (Glenn Charlton) (1963), The discovery and decline of the Zeehan silver lead field, retrieved 10 February 2015
57. "CROTTY.". Daily Telegraph (Launceston, Tas. : 1883 - 1928). Launceston, Tas.: National Library of Australia. 18 November 1902. p. 6. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
58. Photograph - Crotty - North Mount Lyell Smelters, LINC Tasmania, retrieved 10 February 2015
59. "THE MOUNT LYELL SMELTERS.". Daily Telegraph (Launceston, Tas. : 1883 - 1928). Launceston, Tas.: National Library of Australia. 24 August 1896. p. 3. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
60. "ROSEBERY SMELTERS.". Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954). Launceston, Tas.: National Library of Australia. 3 August 1912. p. 4 Edition: DAILY. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
61. Mount Lyell School of Mines and Industries (1915), Prospectus, regulations and syllabus of instruction for diplomas & certificates, 1915-16, Zeehan and Dundas Telegraph Office, retrieved 5 November 2016
62. O'Leary, J (1987), Worthy of a place like Queenstown : the establishment and development of technical education in Queenstown, 1903 - 1921, [J. O'Leary], retrieved 5 November 2016
63. "MOUNT LYELL SCHOOL OF MINES.". The Examiner (Tasmania). LXXXII, (187). Tasmania, Australia. 6 August 1924. p. 7. Retrieved 6 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.

References

• Blainey, Geoffrey (2000). The Peaks of Lyell (6th ed.). Hobart: St. David's Park Publishing. ISBN 0-7246-2265-9.
• How, Duncan (1992). Historic Mines of Western Tasmania, a walking guide. Walk the West Publications. ISBN 0-646-10651-1.
• Pink, Kerry (1984). The west coast story : a history of Western Tasmania and its mining fields (Rev. ed.). Zeehan, Tasmania: West Coast Pioneers' Memorial Museum. ISBN 0-9598295-2-0.
• Rae, Lou (2001). The Abt Railway and Railways of the Lyell region. Sandy Bay: Lou Rae. ISBN 0-9592098-7-5.
• Tuma, Andrew and Bottrill, R.S.(2006) The minerals of Western Tasmania:Introduction, history and geological setting in Australian Journal of Mineralogy, volume 12, No.2, December 2006
• Whitham, Charles (2003). Western Tasmania - A land of riches and beauty (Reprint 2003 ed.). Queenstown: Municipality of Queenstown.
• Whitham, Lindsay (2002). Railways, Mines, Pubs and People and other historical research. Sandy Bay: Tasmanian Historical Research Association. ISBN 0-909479-21-6.