The mine was located in November 1933 by the Rising Sun prospecting syndicate.
The first shaft was sunk in 1934 to a depth of 50 metres. Shaft sinking resumed in 1939 until stopped by the wartime embargo in 1943 the mine had produced some 62kg of gold.
In 1947 the mine was acquired by a small Adelaide company Australian Develoment NL and recommenced operation in 1948 sinking a new shaft and level development.
In 1949 a bonanza-grade ore shoot was encountered, averaging 3.1 kg per ton. This golden age continued for more than 20 years.
At its peak it produced 72% of NT's gold and 40% of the total value of mineral production. The underground workings yielded 25.8 tonnes of gold.
A disastrous collapse in 1967 resulted in a massive collapse which made the main shaft above 41 metres unusable and all underground mining operations ceased. As a result. open-cut mining was introduced to enable the complete extraction of the remaining economic ore-body.
Mining operations ceased in 1985 after yeilding a further 8.75 tonnes of gold. from 1.46 million tonnes of ore.
Parking is at S19 42.648 E134 17.556. From this point there is reasonable walk on a formed road to the look out area. Passing on the way are the remains of the Assay shed and there are plenty of samples of the old ore and other detritus of the older mining industry.
There are plenty of old concrete foundations around, but one can only guess as to what purpose they had during the operations.
The hole that remains is filled to about 20% full with ground water and is mute testament to the work that was necessary to wrest the mineral wealth from this extremely hard rock.
There is a gate across the road some 300m from the mine and you will have to park the vehicle and walk the last bit.
As always take care in the vicinity of the mine excavation by staying behind the fence and enjoy this slice of history.
Local cachers "The Mavericks" have got first to find - Congratulations.
The Mavericks have graciously volunteered to maintain this cache for the future.
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