GREAT EXTENDED MINE SITE
SCHICHER GULLY MARYBOROUGH, CENTRAL GOLDFIELDS SHIRE
-
Add to tour
You must log in to do that.
-
Share
-
Shortlist place
You must log in to do that.
- Download report
Statement of Significance
What is significant?
How is it significant?
Why is it significant?
-
-
GREAT EXTENDED MINE SITE - History
Blucher’s Reef was opened in 1857 by Mr C. Von Malesky, and was originally worked by parties of four and six men, holding claims of about 200 feet in length along the line of lode. The water level was reached at 186 feet, and to that depth the stone was exceptionally good, returning as much as 50 oz to the ton. The claims fell into the hands of Messrs Williams, two local mining men, and by them the reef was operated on to a depth of 440 feet, at great disadvantage on account of the mine being worked on the lode, the underlay of which is about 1 in 3. The present main shaft, 11 feet x 4 feet, is situate about 400 feet to the west of the surface line, and if continued down should cut the reef at a depth of 1000 feet. It was commenced over 25 years ago, when it was sunk to a depth of about 100 feet. It then stood for a considerable time, until the Great Extended Quartz Mining Co. was floated, Messrs E. Morey, Bailey, and Edwards, of Ballarat, being largely interested. Winding, pumping, and crushing machinery was erected, and the main shaft sunk to a depth of 450 feet. The company suspended operations, and let the mine on tribute, but with no good result, the tributers to having the capital required to sink the shaft and crosscut to the reef at a lower level. Subsequent companies carried the shaft down and prospected the reef at the 720-feet level, but with poor results. [Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8] Great Extended Company The London Chartered Bank have sold their claim on Blucher’s Reef to the Great Extended Company, and the owners of adjoining claims have also sold their claims to the above company, who now possess nearly the whole of Blucher’s Reef. The company are possessed of ample means and have already begun in good earnest to work their mine. The main shaft is down to 150 feet and has been so laid as will enable the company to strike the reef at a depth of 1,000 or 1,200 feet from the surface. The estimated cost of proving the reef to a depth of 500 feet is £6,000; but as the company intend to place a thoroughly efficient crushing plant, and also a plant for treating pyrites, on the claim, the estimated total cost of proving the mine, and providing for it suitable machinery, is £20,000. The working of this mine will confer a great benefit upon the district, and it is to be hoped that the courage and enterprise of the company will meet with entire success. [Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1875] June 1878: The Great Extended Company have been compelled to stop work on their mine at Blucher’s Reef. This is one of the best-defined reefs in this district. The stoppage of this mine has thrown a number of men out of work. [Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1878]GREAT EXTENDED MINE SITE - Interpretation of Site
Historic quartz mine that still retains machinery foundations. The mine's tailings dump has largely been quarried. The site lies near to houses.
Heritage Inventory Description
GREAT EXTENDED MINE SITE - Heritage Inventory Description
Mine workings - large intact mullock heap. Mining machinery - large U-shaped brick mounting bed. Battery site - flattened site with remains of loading ramp. Dam - large water dam. Retreatment - extensive spread of tailings and one cyanide vat impression.
Heritage Inventory Significance: Regional
SiteCard data copied on 04/07/2024: The VHI-mapping for this area has several overlapping extent. This survey was only focused on the Great Extended Mine Site. The site has a large embankment that once formed part of a tailings dump that has largely been quarried. The mullock heap is large, somewhat circular and about 15m high. Machinery foundations are located 30m to the south of the heap. This is a large U-shaped brick mounting bed. The mounting bed’s overall measurement is 40ft x 12ft, and 7ft high. The bed has 3-1/2ft thick walls and all its mounting bolts have been removed. The rest of the machinery foundations have been flattened. The remains of a battery loading ramp lies ten metres to the west of the U-shaped mounting bed. No other battery foundations are visible. To the west is a poorly preserved vat imprint and some tailings. While mapping the extent of the Great Extended Mine Site a puddling machine remains were found. Most likely Bluchers Gully puddler No. 4
-
-
-
-
-
BLUCHERS GULLY NO.1 PUDDLERVictorian Heritage Inventory
-
BLUCHERS GULLY NO.2 PUDDLERVictorian Heritage Inventory
-
BLUCHERS GULLY NO.3 PUDDLERVictorian Heritage Inventory
-
-