SIMMONS REEF GOLD MINING PRECINCT

SIMMONS REEF ROAD BLACKWOOD, MOORABOOL SHIRE

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Victorian Heritage Inventory

Statement of Significance

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  • History

    SIMMONS REEF GOLD MINING PRECINCT - History

    Simmons Reef was discovered in 1855 and intensively mined for gold until the 1870s. The area contained a series of mines, including the Imperial Co., Simmons Reef Quartz Mine Co. , Crown Co., Cornish Co., Williams Co., Kohinoor Shaft, and numerous unnamed shafts along the western side of Simmons Reef Road (Hitchcock 2007:5-9). These mining companies operated using a variety of methods including open cuts, shafts, adits, and processed the excavated material using steam powered batteries, a series of water races and waterwheels. Water races extended from the open cut at the top of the hill (close to St. Erth) north to the Crown dam and Simmons Reef reservoir along the Lerderderg River (Hitchcock 2007:23, 41 , Blackwood Race Map). Many inexperienced miners attempted quartz mining where ever a blow of quartz was discovered. Parties were formed and a paddock sunk, but as a general rule no gold was found and many miners lost valuable time and money. Many early mines were abandoned due to lack of capital (Buckingham 1970:17). More experienced quartz miners with capital were able to dig deeper to reach the gold at Simmons Reef at 250 ft (Buckingham 1970:17).

    SiteCard data copied on 04/07/2024:Simmons Reef was discovered in 1855 and in this area was prospected for gold until the 1870s. Many inexperienced miners attempted quartz mining where ever signs of quartz were discovered. Parties were formed and a shaft sunk or adit driven but as a general rule no gold was found and many miners lost valuable time and money. The area which is very overgrown was recorded as having a series of small pits/adits. It is likely that the miners lived in the town.

    Interpretation of Site

    SIMMONS REEF GOLD MINING PRECINCT - Interpretation of Site

    The site dates to between 1855-1880, representing a variety of gold mining activities associated with alluvial and reef mining undertaken along Simmons Reef. This area may contain evidence of early alluvial mining undertaken by individuals and later large scale reef mining undertaken by numerous companies. These features also relate to larger more intact registered historical sites within the immediate area, attesting to the intense use to the area for gold mining.

    SiteCard data copied on 04/07/2024: A gold mining landscape that has dense vegetation. It will contain adits, shafts, stopes and water races. Not possible to survey. The land is managed as a State Forest

    Archaeological Significance

    SIMMONS REEF GOLD MINING PRECINCT - Archaeological Significance

    Archaeological remains associated with mining structures such as batteries, poppet heads, boilers and possible habitation sites may occur, although the research value of archaeological remains is considered low due to the widespread occurrence of this site type within Victoria.

    Heritage Inventory Description

    SIMMONS REEF GOLD MINING PRECINCT - Heritage Inventory Description

    The site consists of a series of small pits/adits, and water races extending adjacent to Simmons Reef Road into the hillside.

    SiteCard data copied on 04/07/2024: Due to amount of vegetation and possibility of hidden mine openings, the inspection was limited to an area which was reasonably open. One adit was recorded which was linked to a stope. These features are indictive of the history of the site. No artefacts bearing deposits or other archaeological features such as machinery foundations and huts sites were found. Between the open stope and the adit are two water races (waypoints only)
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