JUNGLE CREEK QUARTZ MINE SITE

MCMILLANS ROAD COWA, WELLINGTON SHIRE

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Victorian Heritage Inventory

Statement of Significance

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  • History

    JUNGLE CREEK QUARTZ MINE SITE - History

    Heritage Inventory History of Site: At the start of 1865, 157 miners were working 39 reefs at Jungle Creek. Two batteries—those of Hartley & Co. (known as the Jungle mill) and the Victoria Co.—were erected in 1865, to crush for reefs on upper and lower Jungle Creek, respectively. Both batteries were driven by steam-power; the Jungle mill had five head of stamps, the Victoria probably eight. The Victoria battery seems to have operated for only a short time: yields from the Victoria Reef itself were 'remarkably poor' and, by the end of 1866, the 20 or so miners remaining at Jungle Creek were on the upper reaches. The battery was removed to another part of the Crooked River field in 1870. The Jungle mill was rented in 1867 by the partnership of Whiting & Willmott, to crush for their mines on the Speedwell, Anchor, and Time-will-tell reefs. The battery continued operating until at least mid-1869. After some time idle, the Time-will-tell Reef was again taken up in 1872, along with the Bismark Reef, and a water-powered battery was erected on Jungle Creek. The Speedwell Reef, 'in the immediate vicinity of this mill', was re-occupied at the same time. None of these reefs yielded at all well, but a new rich reef, the Bright Star, was struck not far from the Bismark. By the middle of 1875, the Bright Star had run its course, and no more was heard of the battery/s on Jungle Creek.

    Heritage Inventory Description

    JUNGLE CREEK QUARTZ MINE SITE - Heritage Inventory Description

    A line of reef workings above battery site consisting of at least four open shafts with mullock heaps, a stone fireplace and an open adit. Adit has large mullock heap, blacksmith forge and a well preserved quartz paddock. Another level of workings above adit.

    Heritage Inventory Significance: Regional

    Heritage Inventory Site Features: Features of the Jungle Creek battery and mine site are fragments of a battery and boiler, a line of reef workings, and a benched track.WorkingsùA line of reef workings is situated about 20 m above the battery site. The workings run in a south-westerly direction and consist of at least four open shafts with mullock paddocks, a stone fireplace (two more were seen on the walk into the battery site), and an open adit. The adit is at the end of the line of workings and has a large mullock heap, blacksmith forge, and a well-preserved quartz paddock on its northern side. Above the adit is another level of workings, dominated by a large stope which appears to be connected to the adit.Benched trackùA well defined track leads to the adit..Situated at Upper Jungle Creek, the site would relate to the mines in that locality: principally, those on the Speedwell and Time-will-tell reefs, worked in the 1860s and 1870s. The original 'Jungle mill' was steam-powered, but comprised five head of stamps; the later (1873) Time-will-tell Co. battery was water-powered, but a steam engine may have been added. The workings are most likely on Speedwell Reef, which was 'in the immediate vicinity' of the latter battery.

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  • JUNGLE CREEK BATTERY SITE

    

    Victorian Heritage Inventory
  • JUNGLE CREEK QUARTZ MINE SITE

    

    Victorian Heritage Inventory
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