THORNHILL COMPANY
DEMO TRACK NEWSTEAD, MOUNT ALEXANDER SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
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THORNHILL COMPANY - History
The mine site had three main periods of mining: • Period 1: Reef opened up in 1856 by Mr Thornehill or Thornhill and worked by him and other small claimholders into the 1860s. The remnants of the four small kilns mostly likely belong to this period of mining. • Period 2: English company formed (Thornhill Co. )in 1871 and worked until c.1887 • Period 3: South Australian company (Thornhill Reef Co.) formed in 1883 and worked until c1888 In the Muckleford area, successfully worked reefs of the 1860s included the Blow-up, Dunns, Excelsior, Kangaroo, Red White and Blue, Smiths, and Thornhill reefs. Thornhill Reef Company In 1871, the Thornhill Company was floated on the English market. Shaft sinking commenced and by June 1872 their engine shaft was below the 500-ft level and crushing machinery was to be erected. [Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1872]. The stampers were in place by December 1873 and repairs were being made to the smoke stack and flues. The prospects of the mine were considered good and there was a large body of stone reading for crushing. [Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1873] The Thornhill Company closed down shortly after the end of 1873. In 1883 the Thornhill Reef Company under new management commenced sinking a new shaft from the surface and had purchased a new crushing plant consisting of a 16hp engine and 20 head of stamp. [Mount Alexander Mail, 15/10/1883]. By Jan 1884, the battery had been erected, there were 20 men employed, the shaft was down to water, and Green Gully was beginning ‘to have the appearance of a settlement from the miners erecting weatherboard cottages for themselves’ [Mount Alexander Mail, 7 Jan 1884]. In March 1888, the local mining surveyor reported that quartz was now being paddocked, pending the construction of kilns for burning and repairing their battery for crushing. The company only worked for a short time after 1888.THORNHILL COMPANY - Interpretation of Site
A quartz mining site that has been extensively bulldozed/excavated for shaft filling and/or extracting gravel for road making. Despite the disturbance the site possesses relics associated with two phases of mining (1) pioneering quartz mining late 1850s/early 1860s) and (2) company mining in the late 1880s. The relics are quartz roasting kilns - at least four from phase 1 and set of kilns from phase 2. The quartz roasting kilns are the only visible constructed features on the site. Archaeological excavation may reveal more features.
Heritage Inventory Description
THORNHILL COMPANY - Heritage Inventory Description
Set of 2 largely intact roasting kilns contained within a structure. Five below ground kilns, constructed of sandstone blocks, are located to the west. Associated is a shaft and partially quarried mullock heap.
Heritage Inventory Significance: National Estate
SiteCard data copied on 04/07/2024: The mine site had three main periods of mining: • Period 1: Reef opened up in 1856 by Mr Thornehill or Thornhill and worked by him and other small claimholders into the 1860s. The remnants of the four small kilns mostly likely belong to this period of mining. • Period 2: English company formed (Thornhill Co. )in 1871 and worked until c.1887 • Period 3: South Australian company (Thornhill Reef Co.) formed in 1883 and worked until c1888 The remains at the mine comprising a series of kilns probably date to the first and third periods. The large above ground kilns appear to have been those erected by the Thornhill Reef Co in 1888. The Thornhill Company’s site consists of a set of two largely-intact roasting kilns contained within a structure measuring 16m x 4m, and 4m high. The front wall of the structure faces east and is a facade of coursed sandstone. The side walls are retained with slate. Each kiln contains a funnel-shaped roasting bowl made of sandstone blocks. The stone has a very burnt appearance. The two bowls are of different sizes, the bowl of the southern kiln being approximately 4m in diameter, and the northern bowl’s 1/2m larger. Both bowls are 4m deep, have almost vertical back walls and flared sides. Both bowl’s have a base diameter of approx. 2.3m.and their draught/unloading portals have collapsed. Nearby to the kiln are four below ground smaller kilns. The first of the below ground kilns is bottle-shaped, measures 4.3m long, and is 2.9m wide at the rear end narrowing down to 1.2m wide at the kiln’s mouth. The structure is at least 1.4m deep. The second kiln is also bottle-shaped. It measures 5.8m long and is 3.9m wide at the rear end narrowing down to 1.2m at the kiln’s mouth. The structure is at least 1.5m deep. The third kiln has a U-shaped, 2.8m square, roasting area. From the open mouth run two 5m long wings. The roasting compartment is at least 2.5m deep. The fourth kiln is almost filled. All that is visible is a faint depression and a vague outline of burnt sandstone blocks. The associated reef workings, open cutting and shafts, have been bulldozed and there is now evidence of mining machinery foundations. Several of the filled hafts are being to open up and one open shaft has been fenced. The tailings are located on the privately owned paddock below the set of kilns.
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BOSWARVA HILL REEF WORKINGSVictorian Heritage Inventory
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GREEN GULLY REEF WORKINGSVictorian Heritage Inventory
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NUGGETTY CO-OPERATIVE COVictorian Heritage Inventory
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