Cache #543.
This cache placement has had a chequered past. I placed it here back in 2022, to be published leading up to the Rutherglen Mega. It didn't happen. I checked it after the Mega in 2023 and once again I did not publish it. Now, here we are in 2024 and finally I am sending it down the line.
We chanced upon this place way, way back when cruising the area looking for places to put caches for the Mega. We parked at the gates, went through the turnstile and wandered around the site. There is plenty to see and if you are feeling adventurous maybe you will clamber up to the top of the huge mullock heap.
It is difficult to find any comprehensive history about the mine but here is a brief timeline. There also seems to be conflicting information.
1900
Great Southern Consols found gold in 1900, after 8 years' development -
1905
It was the top alluvial mine in Victoria in 1905, producing 11,000plus ounces but by 1911 the deep lead boom in the area was all but over.
1911
Deep lead boom virtually over by 1911 - only companies operating in
Rutherglen area by 1911 were the Great Southern and Great Southern Consols
1914
In 1914 Great Southern Consols wound up having produced a total of 138,000 ounces of gold and paid £74,000 dividends.
1917
Great Southern Consols, Rutherglen, ceased work 1917 - last of district's big
alluvial mines - total production was 93,000 oz, but paid only £19,000
dividends.
If you want to do your own fact finding you might visit the website listed below. Otherwise just enjoy wandering around the old site.
Reference:
https://www.heritage.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0022/512266/North-East-Victoria-Historic-Mining-Plots-1850-1982-Historic-Notes-Bannear-nd.pdf