The School of Mines Ballaarat. Annual Report 1883. Statement of Receipts and expenditure, general balance sheet, and list of subscriptions donations 1882. Sketch of School of Mines. Sketch Section from Lal Lal to the Moorabool (looking north) Geological map of Lal Lal. In the County of Grant. Annual Report, Balance Sheet, Certificates granted by the Council, Examination Papers - Elementary Science Classes (Appendix), Extracts from Visitors' Book, Fees, Form of Bequest, Honorary Correspondents. Life Governors, Museum - open to visitors, Notes on the Geology of Lal Lal (with Geological Plan & Sections), Obituary, Office Bearers, Paper of Particulars, Rules of the Ballaarat Field Club and Science Society (Appendix), Report of the Curator of the Museum and Library, Report of the Superintendent of Laboratories, Report of the Lecturer in Mathematics, Report of the Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, Report of the Lecturer in Telegraphy, Report of the Lecturer in Materia Medica, Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the year 1882, Subjects and Lectures, Subjects and Examiners, Subscriptions and Donations, from 1st January to 31st December 1882.Ballaarat School of Mines annual Report. Hard cover red book of 101 pages. Includes plans on Lal Lal and surrounds. ballarat school of mines, annual report, balance sheet, certificates granted by the council, examination papers, extracts from the visitors' book, fees, form of bequest, honorary correspondents, life governors, museum, notes on the geology of lal lal, obituary: charles william thomas. one of the examiners in mining and surveying, office bearers, paper of particulars, rules of the ballaarat field club and science society, report of the curator of the museum and library, report of the superintendent of laboratories, report of the lecturer in mathematics, report of the lecturer in mechanical engineering, report of the lecturer in telegraphy, report of the lecturer in materia medica, statement of receipts and expenditure for the year 1882, subjects and lectures, subjects and examiners, subcriptions and donations, from 1st january to 31st december 1882, alf. mica smith, professor of chemistry, alf. mica smith, metallurgy, f. m. krause - professor of geology, mineralogy, scientific mining, t. h. thompson, practical mining, w. h. shaw mechanical engineering, h. reid, mechanical enginnering, phoenix foundry company (limited), a. a. buley, mathematics, f. m. krause, land, mining and engineering surveying, w. d. campbell, telegraphy, james oddie, vice-president, alf. mica smith, natural philosophy (elementary mechanics and hydrostatics, magnetism and electricty, sound, light and heat), j. f. usher, materia medica, pharmacy and physiology, examiner, professor h. m. andrew, m. a., examiner, h. d. de la poer wall, m. a, c. e., examiner, thomas mann, b. a., examiner, p. c. fitzpatrick, c. s., examiner, h. rosale, j.p., f.g.s, m.e. and m, examiner, john lewis, examiner, w. c. kernot, m.a., c.e., examiner, professor mccoy, examiner, j. cosmo newbery, c.m.g., b. sc., examiner, baron von mueller, k.c.m.g., m. et ph. d., f. r.s., examiner, sam. w. macgowan, examiner, w. p. bechervaise, examiner, r. l. j. ellery, f.r.s. govt. astronomer, examiner, f. m. krause, c.e., examiner, j. m. bickett, examiner, n. kent, examiner, a. martin, examiner, r. s. mitchell, examiner, w. h. keast, examiner, p. matthews, examiner, d. milliken, examiner, j. t. richards, examiner, jonathan robinson, examiner, t. h. thompson, examiner, h. brookes allen, m.d., examiner, joseph bosisto, examiner, c. r. blackett, m.l.a., examiner, wm. johnson, analyst to the government of victoria, ferdinand krause, ballarat field naturalists club, ferdinand von mueller, thomas mann, a.a. buley, ferrdinand krause, alfred mica smith, james oddie, william johnson, jonathan robinson, james bickett, r.l.j. ellery, cosmo newbery, ballarat field naturalists

The School of Mines Ballaarat. Annual Report 1883. Statement of Receipts and expenditure, general balance sheet, and list of subscriptions donations 1883. Annual Report, Balance Sheet, Certificates granted by the Council, Examination Papers - Elementary Science Classes (Appendix), Fees, Honorary Correspondents. Life Governors, Museum - open to visitors, Office Bearers, Paper of Particulars, Report of the Curator of the Museum and Library, Report of the Superintendent of Laboratories, Report of the Lecturer in Mathematics, Report of the Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, Report of the Lecturer in Telegraphy, Report of the Lecturer in Materia Medica, Report of the Lecturer of Astronomy, Scale of Charges for Assays and Analyses, Examinations Held, Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the year 1883, Subjects and Lectures, Subjects and Examiners, Subscriptions and Donations, from 1st January to 31st December 1883.Ballaarat School of Mines annual Report. Soft cover pale green booklet of 67 pages. Includes a colour Geological Map of Lal Lal and a sketch Section from Lal Lal to the Moorabool. Inscription on front cover 'Office Copy' On pages 4 and 5 some names have been crossed out and others added.ballarat school of mines, annual report, balance sheet, certificates granted by the council, examination papers, fees, honorary correspondents, life governors, museum, office bearers, paper of particulars, ballarat school of mines museum, library, superintendent of laboratories, mathematics, mechanical engineering, telegraphy, lecturer in materia medica, statement of receipts and expenditure for the year 1882, examiners, subcriptions and donations, alfred mica smith, chemistry, metallurgy, f.m. krause, ferdinand krause, geology, mineralogy, scientific mining, t.h. thompson, practical mining, w.h. shaw, h. reid, mechanical enginnering, phoenix foundry company (limited), phoenix foundry, arthur. a. buley, mining, engineering surveying, walter. d. campbell, j. wall, astronomy, james oddie, natural philosophy, elementary mechanics and hydrostatics, magnetism and electricty, sound, light and heat, j.f. usher, materia medica, pharmacy, physiology, w.h. shawmechanical engineering, h.m. andrew, h.d. de la poer wall, thomas mann, p.c. fitzpatrick, h. rosale, john lewis, w.c. kernot, mccoy, j. cosmo newbery, baron von mueller, samuel w. macgowan, w.p. bechervaise, r.l.j. ellery, astronomer, j.m. bickett, james bickett, n. kent, a. martin, r.s. mitchell, w.h. keast, p. matthews, d. milliken, j.t. richards, jonathan robinson, h. brookes allen, joseph bosisto, c.r. blackett, m.l.a., william. johnson, government of victoria analyst, moorabool, lal lal, skipton, coal, skipton coal discovery, lal lal creek, moorabool falls, lal lal race course, lal lal falls, moorabool river, william h. keast

Civil engineer and geologist Ferdinand Moritz Krause lecturered at the Ballarat School of Mines from 1880 to 1895. He was born at Kassel, Germany on 24 February 1841, the youngest son of Frederich Wilhelm Krause. Ferdinand Krause married Amy Augusta Dimock. He died in South Africa 16 June 1918. In June 1880 Krausé was appointed to the Ballarat School of Mines as lecturer in 'geology, palaeontology, mineralogy, electricity, magnetism, scientific mining, geological and topographical surveying' and as museum curator. In 1881 he was appointed Professor of Geology and in 1892 was elected president of the Staff Association. He was held in high repute by his students and also known as a keen musician. He resigned from the School of Mines to be lecturer in mining at the University of Melbourne from June 1895 to January 1897. Whilst at Ballarat in 1887-90 he had completed geological maps and reports on the parishes of Haddon, Carngham, Scarsdale, Lillerie, Smythesdale and Comeralghip; these were published in 1898. The Institute of Surveyors elected him a member in 1891. His Introduction to the study of Mineralogy for Australian readers was published in Melbourne in 1896. In January 1897 he became manager of the General Gordon mine near Kalgoorlie. In 1900 he contributed an article to the Ballarat School of Mines Students' Magazine on the mining geology of Kalgoorlie. Invited by a former student, George Denny, Krausé left for South Africa in 1901. His last work was a geological map of the Barberton area, Transvaal, published in March 1918. He died on 16 June, survived by his wife, three sons and a daughter. (http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/krause-ferdinand-moritz-3971, accessed 20 November 2018) Black and White photograph of the head and shoulders of Professor Ferdinand Krause of the Ballarat School of Mines.ballarat school of mines, ferdinand krause, geology, fm krause, krause, ballarat school of mines museum

John Warren Glover was a significant operator of cyanide re-processing works in the goldfields from around 1900. He lived at 123 Webster Street for many years, and operated quite a substantial three roomed private laboratory on the grounds for assays associated with his operations. This balance was used at that laboratory. The Webster Street property is believed to be the first brick fronted house in Ballarat and the bricks were ballast from a Scottish Ship. The property remained in the Glover Family until it was sold in 1955. John Warren had car or licence registration no 12. A German made beam balance that would have been an extremely sensitive, and top of the line for its time (probably 1910 – 20’s). It has a long beam and a complex system of jewel knife edges and bearings. Plaque on front with C. Staudinger & Co. Machf, Gisssen (Gibben)mining, goldfields, beam balance, german, c. standinger & co., jw glover, john glover, warren glover, john warren glover, john w. glover, weights and measures, c. staudinger and co, carl staudinger, scientific equiment

The Bendigo School of Mines was opened in 1873 to meet the scientific and technical needs of the mining industry on the local gold fields. Mining, chemistry, geology, metallurgy and art were taught. In c.1907 a Junior Technical School commenced to operate at the School of Mines and Industry. This was to enable boys who had completed primary school the opportunity to continue their education and learn skills to assist them in their future. In c.1961 the Junior Technical School ceased to operate with that function being transferred to the White Hills and Kangaroo Flat technical schools.Red/brown soft covered booklet.A.W Steane written on front coverbendigo junior technical school, prospectus, w.h walter, j.r.v anderson, a.w. steane, w.s. lake, k.c. abbott, mr grant, mathematics and science, woodwork and sheet metal, art, principal, bendigo

The Bendigo School of Mines was opened in 1873 to meet the scientific and technical needs of the mining industry on the local gold fields. Mining, chemistry, geology, metallurgy and art were taught. In c.1907 a Junior Technical School commenced to operate at the School of Mines and Industry. This was to enable boys who had completed primary school the opportunity to continue their education and learn skills to assist them in their future. In c.1961 the Junior Technical School ceased to operate with that function being transferred to the White Hills and Kangaroo Flat technical schools.Grey soft covered booklet with green printing. The prospectus outlines preparatory courses in Trade, Art and Science. Photographs include Physical Culture, Geometrical Development, Science Laboratory, Design, Sheetmetal, Woodwork and Modelling.Handwritten on front Cover A.W. Steanebendigo junior technical school, prospectus, head master, a e tutton, mathematics and science master, j a donald, woodwork and sheet matal, h f day, crafts master, k c abbott

Galena Chalcopyrite is the earth's primary ore of lead and is mined from a large number of deposits in many countries. It is also an important source of silver. Galena Chalcopyrite is one of the most abundant and widely distributed sulfide minerals across the world. The mineral is found in igneous and metamorphic rocks in medium- to low-temperature hydrothermal veins. This specific specimen was recovered from the mines in Broken Hill, New South Wales. The mines in Broken Hill were first established after Charles Rasp discovered a large amount of silver-lead-zinc ore-body in the area in 1883. BHP (Broken Hill Proprietary) mining company was then established in 1885 and quickly became the lead in Australia's mining industry after they began excavating and exporting the country's largest amount of lead, silver, and zinc. This feat generated over $100 billion in wealth for the company.Galena Chalcopyrite is signifiant as it represents the catalyst for the rise of Australia's most influential mining companies - BHP. The mineral was one of the first to be mined in the country and after being made into lead, was used for a variety of things such as paint, batteries, ammunition, and plumbing materials before it was known to be harmful to humans. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study. A grey, solid hand-sized lead sulfide mineral with a silver metallic luster.burke museum, beechworth, geological, geological specimen, galena, galena chalcopyrite, chalcopyrite, broken hill, bhp, bhp mining, broken hill mine, mine, australia mine, lead, lead mine

This particular specimen was recovered from the Lal Lal Coal and Iron Mine in Victoria, 19km from Ballarat. Brown Coal was discovered here in 1857, just alongside the Geelong to Ballarat Railway line. This discovery of lignite (brown coal) was the first in Victoria, which would bring important benefits to the region and state, both of which had previously been reliant on coal imports. In the 1860s, iron ore was found just 5km from Lal Lal, and the area was converted into an Iron Ore Mine. The Lal Lal Iron Mining Company took over operations in 1874, who then peaked iron production in 1884. This mine continued operations until June 1884, when the blast furnace was extinguished and never recommenced. The blast furnace at Lal Lal is considered one of the most important and highly significant sites ion early industrial history in Australia, as it is the only remaining best furnace from the nineteenth century in the Southern Hemisphere. The furnace ruins are 17 metres high, and are clearly visible today on Iron Mine Road, Lal Lal, near the Bungal Dam. This specimen of Lignite (brown coal) is significant, as it was mined from the area where brown coal was first discovered in Victoria, leading to an important and controversial future of the mining and use of brown coal in this State. The Victorian Heritage Database has listed the Lal Lal Coal Mine with local significance, with their Statement of Significance stating: "The Lal Lal coal mine is historically significant as the site of the first discovery of lignite (brown coal) in Victoria, and one that promised important benefits to regional and state industries that were reliant on coal imports at the time. The significance of the stie is reduced by the poor state of preservation of the coal mining and processing fabric". This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.A hand-sized light-weight, soft and combustable sedimentary rock specimen, that is dark brown in colour. The specimen has jagged edges, as though parts of the rock have crumbled away. Brown coal, or Lignite, is formed naturally from compressed peat, and is typically found in natural basins. The stages to the formation of coal ('coalification') begin with plant material and wood, which will decay if it is not subjected to deep burial or heating, and turn into Peat. Peat, when sufficiently compressed naturally, will turn into Brown Coal (Lignite), and finally into Black Coal (sub-bituminous, bituminous and anthracite). Each successive stage has a higher energy content and lower water content. It is brownish-black in colour. Brown Coal has a high moisture content, between 50 and 75 percent, and a low carbon content. Some Brown Coals may be stratified, with layers of plant matter, which means little coalification has occurred beyond the peat natural processing stage. When Brown Coal is submerged in dilute nitric acid or boiling potassium hydroxide solution, it reacts to produce a reddish solution, of which higher-ranked coals do not. When brown coal is pulverised and burned in boilers, the steam is used to drive turbines, which generates electricity. It is the lowest rank of coal, as when burned, it creates a relatively low heat content, which in turn does not create a great output of steam. burke museum, beechworth, indigo shire, beechworth museum, geological, geological specimen, mineralogy, brown coal, brown coal specimen, lignite, lal lal, lal lal coal mine, lal lal iron mine, ballarat, blast furnace

This specimen originated from Mount Lyell on the west coast of Tasmania, where a large group of open cut and underground copper-silver-gold mines began operating in 1883. Between 1893-1994, the Mt Lyell Mining and Railway Company were responsible for operations. The Mt Lyell copper-gold mines produce some excellent crystallised specimens of chalcopyrite and other minerals. The deposits are generally considered to be of Cambrian volcanic origin, but there are indications of Devonian granitic influence on the ores, plus local remobilisation during Devonian deformation. Over 120 million tonnes of ore was produced from several workings, including the main Prince Lyell mine and the North Lyell mine, which was also of great importance. The Mount Lyell mines have a long history of human and environmental disasters, including the 1912 North Lyell fire that killed 42 miners, and two separate incidents in 2013 in which three people lost their lives. The environmental impacts from this complex of mines are extensive, with waste tailings and heavy metal contamination flowing directly into the King and Queen River catchments. In 1954, the eminent Australian historian, Geoffrey Blainey, published 'The Peaks of Lyell' which delves into the history of the 1912 North Mount Lyell Disaster.Chalcopyrite does not contain the most copper in its structure relative to other minerals, but it is the most important copper ore since it can be found in many localities and occurs in a variety of ore types. The brassy-yellow colours in Chalcopyrite mean it is often confused with pyrites and gold, leading to use of the term, "fool's gold." Chalcopyrite has been the primary ore of copper since smelting began five thousand years ago. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.This hand sized solid mineral specimen has shades of brass-yellow with spots of iridescent green-black tarnish. Chalcopyrite is a copper iron sulphide mineral and a major ore of copper common in sulphide veins and disseminated in igneous rocks. Chalcopyrite has a hardness of 3.5-4 on the Mohs Scale. It is a member of the tetragonal crystal system and has metallic lustre and opaque transparency.burke museum, beechworth, indigo shire, beechworth museum, geology, geological specimen, chalcopyrite, copper pyrites, copper mining, tasmanian geology, mount lyell, mount lyell mines, fools gold, mohs scale, crystals, minerals, historical geological collection, victorian geological survey, a.r.c selwyn, gold rush, van diemans land

This particular geological specimen was found in Mount Franklin or Lalgambook in Djadjawurrung, located between Daylesford and Newstead, approximately ninety minutes drive from Melbourne. The mountain is an example of a breached scoria cone (a steep conical hill of loose pyroclastic fragments) which was created by a volcanic eruption about 470,000 years ago, a date which may indicate the age of this geological specimen. The volcanic eruptions of Mount Franklin were most likely witnessed by members of the Dja Dja Wurrung Aboriginal tribe, who referred to this country as the 'smoking grounds'. Mount Franklin and the surrounding area appears to have been a place of considerable religious significance to Aboriginal people, there is evidence which indicates that frequent large ceremonial gatherings took place in the area. Basalt is the most common rock on Earth’s surface, more than 90% of all volcanic rock on Earth is basalt. Basalt is an aphanitic extrusive igneous rock formed from the rapid cooling of low-viscosity lava exposed at or very near the surface of a rocky planet or moon. Specimens are black in colour and weather to dark green or brown. Basalt is rich in iron and magnesium and is mainly composed of olivine, pyroxene, and plagioclase. Olivine is the name of a group of rock-forming silicate minerals with compositions ranging between Mg2SiO4 and Fe2SiO4. Unlike other minerals, Olivine has a very high crystallisation temperature which makes it the first of the minerals to crystallise from magma. As magma cools, the crystals begin to form and settle on the bottom of the lava and form basalts that are abnormally enriched in olivine in the lower part of lava flows. According to H. M. King (on geology.com) "Olivine is thought to be an important mineral in Earth's mantle. Its presence as a mantle mineral has been inferred by a change in the behaviour of seismic waves as they cross the boundary between Earth's crust and mantle". Lava from Mount Franklin and other volcanoes in the area filled valleys and buried the gold bearing streams that became the renowned ‘deep leads’ of the gold mining era. In 1852, as part of the Victorian gold rush, gold was discovered in the immediate area, this gold was created by lava flows during the Newer Volcanic period, which were mined intensively during the nineteenth century. Around 1865 the presence of a deep lead in Mount Franklin was established. Deep lead mining was initially unsuccessful, and it was not until the late 1870s that the Franklinford Gold Mining Company mined at Mount Franklin on a significant scale. A few years later the Mount Franklin Estate Gold Mining Company also struck gold, followed by the Shakespeare and Great Western companies in the mid-1880s. By the late 1880s, however, deep lead mining had ceased in the area. Soon after gold was discovered in 1851, Victoria’s Governor La Trobe wrote to the Colonial Office in London, urging ‘the propriety of selecting and appointing as Mineral Surveyor for this Colony a gentleman possessed of the requisite qualifications and acquaintance with geological science and phenomena’. Alfred Selwyn was appointed geological surveyor in Australia in 1852 which began the Geological Survey of Victoria. In 1853-69 the Geological Survey issued under Selwyn's direction sixty-one geological maps and numerous reports; they were of such high standard that a writer in the Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London bracketed the survey with that of the United States of America as the best in the world. During his years spent in Australia, Selwyn collected numerous significant geological specimens, examples of which are held in collections such as the Burke Museum.This geological specimen is an example of basalt and olivine which shows the volcanic lava activity and geographical specific nature of Mt Franklin as a significant volcanic site. According to Agriculture Victoria 'The crater is one of the deepest in the Central Highlands area. It is a major megacryst site with some of the largest known Victorian examples of megacrysts of augite and an orthoclase. The small parasitic mound of Lady Franklin on the western flanks adds to the geological interest of the site'. This specimen also highlights the locality as a significant place for both indigenous activity and Victorian gold rush era mining practices. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.An angular, solid hand-sized piece of grey volcanic Basalt with green/brown Olivine phenocrysts along one flat edge.Olivine in basalt / - label is probably / correct. / C. Willman / 15/4/21burke museum, beechworth, indigo shire, beechworth museum, geological, geological specimen, mineralogy, basalt, igneous rock, igneous-volcanic, volcanic geology, volcanic, olivine, olivine specimen, basaltoid

Quartz is an extremely common mineral to find across the world. Quartz can have two forms; Microcrystalline quartz or Crystalline quartz. Microcrystalline quartz is a fine grain quartz where crystalline quartz is often a large crystal. This specimen is a crystalline quartz. Made of silicon oxide, this specimen is called smokey quartz crystals because of its brownish colour. However, the colour of quartz can vary. In addition, quartz are formed in deep-seated igneous rocks and crystallized through hot aqueous solutions. This type of crystal can be found all over Australia, including Beechworth in Victoria. Other places quartz can be found is the Ashburton River area in Western Australia, Marlborough in Queensland, the Lune River area in Tasmania and Kingsgate in New South Wales. This specimen is significant because it is common to find this kind of mineral. While the location of where this specimen was originally from is unknown, it highlights the many places in Australia where quartz is found. It demonstrates that quartz makes up a large portion of Australia's geology. In addition, quartz itself can vary in its colour and shape. This specimen represents one of these variations. That being smoky quartz crystals. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.A large hand-sized quartz mineral with shades of brown and gray throughout.Smoky quartz / crystals /locality/ unknown / (needs a wash) /BBgeological specimen, geology, geology collection, burke museum, beechworth, microcrystalline, quartz, quartz mining, quartz reefs beechworth, smokey quartz crystals, crystals, crystalline, silicon oxide, brown, colour, igneous rocks, magma, ashburton river, western australia, marlborough, queensland, lune river, tasmania, kingsgate, new south wales, nsw

Kaolin is also known as china clay. This specimen came from Dunolly, Victoria and was donated to the Museum in 1868 as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria. This survey helped map and study the geology of Victoria. In Victoria, Kaolin is particularly used as a filler and coating material in paper manufacture. It can also be used in paints, ceramics, rubbers and plastics. There are many kaolin deposits in Victoria but many of these have been mined out and there is not much Kaolin left. Rocks that have a high amount of Kaolinite and it can be formed through the decomposition of other materials. There are two types of Kaolin; hard and soft kaolin. Soft kaolin's are coarse but have a soapy texture. It can also break easily. The hard kaolins have an earthly texture and are finer grained. This means that they are harder to break, unlike the soft kaolin. Hard kaolin's are formed by flocculation in salt water, a process that in basic terms, bonds particles together. Kaolin is a common material in Victoria and that is why it is significant. While this specimen was mined in Dunolly, Victoria Kaolin can also be found Pittong, Pakenham, Bulla, Hallam and Ballarat as well as many other places throughout Victoria. This specimen represents the presence of Kaolin deposits in this region of Australia. It is also significant because Kaolin has many uses and is largely beneficial to many manufacturing processes in Victoria. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.Two pieces of Kaolinite mineral with shades of white and graygeological specimen, geology, geology collection, burke museum, beechworth, kaolin, china clay, dunolly, geological survey of victoria, kaolinite, victoria, mining, mining deposits, geology of victoria, australia, filler, coating material, paper manufacture, paint, ceramics, rubbers, plastics, decomposition, materials, soft kaolin, hard kaolin, flocculation, particles, salt water

Malachite is a water soluble, crystalline, triphenyl methylene chloride salt. It has a close relationship to copper because it is common for Malachite and copper to come from the same ore. Malachite often has shades of green, making it also known as Malachite Green. As a result of it's colour, it is known for being a dye and has been used in the dye industry, the textile industry and in medical fields. Cobar in New South Wales is well known for it's mining. This is because of the number of important deposits present in the area and include three important mining belts where most of the materials are found. These are the 'Cobar belt', the 'Canbelego belt' and the 'Girilambone belt'. The 'Cobar belt' runs underneath the main town. Copper was first discovered in Cobar in 1869 and since then, many deposits of other materials have been found, including Malachite.This specimen is significant because it comes from Cobar, NSW and represents the many deposits of materials found there. Cobar has a long history of mining and is a source of Australia's copper minerals. Malachite is often found in copper deposits meaning that it is representative of Cobar's copper production. Malachite is known for it's vivid green colour and as a result, has many uses, such as meaning used as a dye. This makes it a valuable material and highly significant. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.A solid hand-sized mineral with shades of brown , white and light green throughout.geological specimen, geology, geology collection, burke museum, beechworth, malachite, copper, water soluble, cobar, cobar mines, cobar mining, cobar nsw, nsw, new south wales, mining belts, ore, copper ore, malachite green, dye, green, dye industry, textile industry, desposits, canbelego, girilambone, alfred selwyn

Galena is the natural compound of lead and classed as a sulphide, it crystallises in a cubic pattern and its chemical formula is PbS. Galena is a primary source of both lead and silver. This specimen of Galena comes from Broken Hill. Broken Hill has one of the world’s largest and most significant deposit of ore for the production of lead. Mining of Galena at Broken Hill began with the staking of land by Charles Rasp in 1883. By the following year, in 1884, Rasp and six others had formed Broken Hill Mining Company. Broken Hill Mining Company eventually evolved into BHP group limited and is currently the largest mining company in the world and the largest company in Australia. There is archaeological evidence from artefacts discovered in Turkey that humans have been extracting lead from galena by the process of smelting since at least 6500 BCE. This specimen also has quartz on the top surface which is frequently discovered alongside Galena. This mineral specimen is of historic significance as a sample of Galena extracted from Broken Hill during the 19th century. Mining for Galena in Broken Hill begin in 1883 by Charles Rasp and evolved into the world’s largest mining company – BHP Group Limited. Broken Hill is one of the world’s most significant deposits of ore for the production of lead. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.A flat, hand-sized, grey sulphide specimen that is the natural compound of lead with a quartz formation on the top surface. Existing Label: GALENA / (with quartz) / Locality: Broken Hill / N.S.W 120 x 70 x 29geological specimen, geology, geology collection, burke museum, beechworth, galena, galena quartz, quartz, charles rasp, broken hill mining company, bhp group limited, bhp, lead, ore, lead sulphide, sulphide, silver, broken hill

It is not known where this opal originated. Common Opal is formed from silica-rich water entering the earths crust and hardening into a gel of water and silica-spheres, layered through the specimen. Common opal differs from precious opal in colouration and appearance, with precious opal including more colours, and having a translucent or glossy appearance, where common opal shows less colour and is typically opaque. It scores high on the Mohs hardness scale, and is common throughout the world, especially in Australia, where it is far more prevalent than the highly-prized precious opal. Australia is also the highest producer of opals in the modern world. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.A solid, silica-based mineral specimen of Common Opal in shades of grey, green, and yellow, with a thick grey vein running through the centre. geological specimen, geology, geology collection, burke museum, beechworth, opal, common opal, gemstone, mining

Bituminous coal is the most common type of coal, abundantly found in ancient coal deposits which can be dated back millions of years. Often referred to as soft or black coal, this specimen exhibits a high carbon content, ranging from 76-86%. It also holds a relatively high energy density (27 MJ/kg) meaning that it releases significant amounts of energy when burned. Bituminous coal is most commonly used for electricity generation, as well as in the production of steel. This particular piece of coal was collected as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria in the nineteenth century. It originates from Cape Paterson, a seaside village located in South Gippsland, Victoria (located on Bunurong Country). The discovery of bituminous coal in this locality was first made in 1826 by explorer William Hovell. More discoveries were gradually made over the following decades and in 1859 the Victorian Coal Company commenced the first active coal mining operations in the state by sinking a number of shafts and bores near the area of Cape Paterson. Evidence of this coal-focused past can be found today at the State Coal Mine Museum in the nearby town of Wonthaggi. This specimen is significant as it was collected from the locality of Cape Paterson in Victoria, an area that has since become historically instrumental in the mining of coal and other substances in the state of Victoria. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study. A solid hand-sized piece of bituminous coal with a shiny black-grey surface and jagged edges.Existing Label: BITUMINOUS COAL / Locality: Cape / Patterson, VIC. burke museum, beechworth, geological, geological specimen, state coal mine museum, wonthaggi coal mine, victorian coal company, bituminous coal, coal victoria, coal energy generation, william hovell, cape paterson, coal specimen

Malachite is a copper carbonate hydroxide mineral. It has a chemical composition of Cu2(CO3)(OH)2. It often forms within limestone where a subsurface chemical environment favourable for the formation of carbonate minerals can occur. It is a substance that can be found in many different parts of the world including: Australia, USA, Russia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Malachite has historically been used to produce copper, with mining of the mineral dating back over a period of four thousand years. Due to its beautiful green colourations, it is also commonly used for aesthetic purposes such as in the production of sculptures and jewellery. This particular specimen was collected from the town of Burra, South Australia as part of a geological survey undertaken during the nineteenth century. The locality (located on Ngadjuri Country) has a long history of mining, particularly in copper mining, as the area is rich in copper deposits. The first significant discovery of this was made in Burra (Burra Burra Mine) in 1845 and, at the time, the mine was the largest and richest of its kind in the world, producing nearly five percent of the total world copper output. This specimen is significant as it is considered to be a rare gemstone, as many of the original deposits for the stones are significantly depleted, leaving behind very few sources. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.A solid palm-sized copper carbonate hydroxide mineral with patterns of green colourations Existing Label: MALACHITE / Locality: Burra / S. Aust. Other Label: Confirmed / as Malachite / C. Willman / 15/4/1 / + Bill Birch burke museum, beechworth, geological, geological specimen, malachite, gemstone, green gemstone, burra, burra burra mine, burra south australia, carbonate mineral, copper, copper mining, copper mining burra, carbonate hydroxide mineral, copper carbonate, malachite mining, malachite burra, monster mine

This specimen is Cassiterite in Quartz. Cassiterite is a tin oxide metal that forms in thin crystals which can have a beautiful lustre. Quartz is made of silicon dioxide, also known as silica, and is one of the most common minerals on earth. Cassiterite has been a fundamental source of tin ore for humans throughout history, including today. Tin is an important metal that has a wide variety of human uses in different areas, from dying fabric, to making mirrors, and their most well-known use ‘tin’ cans. Tin cans are primarily made of steel and are coated with tin in order to take advantage of tin’s property of being non-corroding. This is a massive step in the history of food preservation. Tinned food first reached Australia in 1815 with early settlers, and it began to be manufactured here in the 1840s. It was incredibly popular, and was a highly exported product, which would be a contributing factor to the ‘tin mining boom’ of the early 1880s. This specimen was collected at Jingellic, New South Wales, in about 1852. Although the Goldfields of the 1800s are much more well-known, tin mines existed alongside the gold mines which began in the mid 19th century and extended almost one hundred years, to the mid 20th century. Specimens like this would have been used as evidence to justify tin mining operations in the region as an investment. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study. The Geological Survey of Victoria was headed by British geologist, Alfred Richard Cecil Selwyn (1824-1902), who was responsible for issuing over 60 geological maps during his 17 years as director. These maps were all hand-drawn and coloured and became the benchmark for accuracy for geological mapping. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study. A fist-sized solid geological specimen made on one half of tin oxide, which is dark grey, and on the other side of silica, which is brown and cream.burke museum, beechworth, geological, geological specimen

There are 17 opal fields in Australia. This opal bearing stone was found in Lightning Ridge, NSW over what is known as the Great Australian Basin. This basin was formed and covers an area of 1.7 million square kilometers in eastern Australia in the Cretaceous period. This basin used to contain an inland sea, which provided an environment where silcrete eventually formed when water levels changed. This eventually seeped into other structures, and eventually hardened and formed opal. Lightning Ridge has a population of around 2000 people, with about 80 000 visitors every year. It is a historic mining town, and is known for its deposits of a rare black opal. Mining started in the area in the late 1800s, early 1900s when the black opal was discovered. This opal-bearing stone is of social and historical significance. It is from Lightning Ridge, which is well-known for being a large producer of opal stones, most famously black opal. The history of the period dates back to 140 million years, with the discovery of black opal in the early 1900s causing interest in the area. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.***A palm-sized solid mineral specimen in shades of beige and light orange*** silica based? burke museum, beechworth, geological, geological specimen, opal, opal fields, australia, lightning ridge, new south wales, great australian basin, cretaceous, silcrete, black opal, mining

Tourmaline is a group of minerals belonging to the complex borosilicate mineral class. These minerals are known for their striking and varied colours, making them prized gemstones. Tourmaline crystals can come in various shades, including pink, green, blue, brown, black, and colourless. They are often transparent or translucent. Tourmaline's chemical composition is complex, but it typically includes elements such as aluminium, iron, magnesium, sodium, lithium, and potassium. The specific arrangement of these elements in the crystal lattice gives rise to the different colours and properties of tourmaline specimens. Tourmaline specimens from Beechworth, Victoria, Australia, are a notable part of the region's mineral heritage. These tourmalines are of interest to mineral collectors and enthusiasts. While the tourmaline found in Beechworth is not as well-known as some other tourmaline varieties, it has unique characteristics and a historical context associated with the gold mining areas in Beechworth.The significance of tourmaline in Beechworth, Victoria, Australia, lies in its unique geological and historical context, contributing to both scientific and cultural aspects. The tourmaline mined in Beechworth is a rare and unique variety of tourmaline that is primarily found in the historic gold mining areas surrounding Beechworth. Its occurrence is closely linked to the geological processes that shaped the region during the Gold Rush era. The discovery of tourmaline in Beechworth adds to the rich mineral heritage of the area, which was historically known for gold mining. The specimens serve as a tangible connection to the region's mining history and contribute to preserving its geological legacy. The presence of tourmaline in Beechworth showcases the mineralogical diversity of the area. Tourmaline is known for its wide range of colours and unique properties, making it a valuable subject of study for mineralogists and geologists. Tourmaline specimens from Beechworth have educational significance, providing opportunities for research and study. They offer insights into the geological processes and mineral formation in the region, contributing to a better understanding of Earth's geological history.A hand-sized solid mineral specimen in shades of brown, green, light grey and dark greyTOURMALINE (schorl) / (Silicate of boron and aluminum) burke museum, beechworth, indigo shire, geological, geological specimen, mineralogy, tourmaline

This specimen is a native copper specimen that is metallic. Copper is typically found in the earth's crust and is often found alongside other metals such as gold, zinc, lead and silver which all belong to the same group which is the Copper/Gold group. Copper is most commonly formed from large masses of molten lava rock which has solidified in the earth's crust and over time though different sizes and speeds of crystal growth has turned into large amounts of copper, stored in porphyry copper deposits. Copper has a distinctive colour, yet can sometime appear blue and greenish which is often caused by oxidisation or a mixture of copper and other metals. This specific specimen was recovered from Moonta, South Australia. The Moonta Mining Company was established in 1861, after a Shepard in the area noticed traces of copper. This lead to a rush in the copper mining industry which was relatively young in Australia at the time, making Moonta Mining Company one of the richest in Australia. By the 1860's, South Australia had been nicknamed the "Copper Kingdom" due to its vast amount of Large copper mines and resources. As of 2016, Australia was the second largest producer of Copper internationally, following behind Chile in first place. This copper specimen is significant historically and scientifically as it is such an important metal commonly used throughout the world in various ways. Copper is an invaluable recourse used in daily life, used in most electrical appliances as it is a great conductor of heat and electricity, as well as being soft and malleable, making it easy to bend and mould into delicate sheets and wires. Copper does not corrode and is therefore used in the production of water pipes among countless other significant necessities that are often overlooked in our society. Historically, Copper holds great significance as it was the first metal used by humans. It was discovered roughly 9000 years ago and was utilised by the Neolithic Man who learnt that heating the metal made it more malleable, thus tools and utensils were made which were far superior to the previous stone tools used by humans. This history and its connection to the current and ongoing relationship between humans and copper must be preserved and highlighted as it is integral to the history of all humankind. A small, palm-sized solid native copper mineral specimen with shades of browns, black and rustic tones throughout the specimen.NATIVE (metalic) COPPER / Locality: Moonta, South Australiabeechworth, burke museum, geological specimen, native specimen, geological, mineral, mineralogy, indigo shire, beechworth museum, copper, copper ore

Named in 1845 by Wilhelm Karl von Haidinger cerussite takes its name from the Latin cerussa, meaning 'white lead'. When viewed under certain lighting conditions cerussite gives of fire and rainbow-like colours (due to its high dispersion) and it is quite sought after by geological collectors for this very reason. Cerussite is usually found in the oxidised zone of lead ore deposits. It is a very common weathering product of galena and other lead ore minerals. It is a secondary mineral, meaning it forms as a result of the alteration of pre-existing minerals in the Earth’s crust. The presence of lead in cerussite makes it potentially toxic. Historically, it has been an important source of lead, which has numerous industrial applications, including in batteries, construction materials, and radiation shielding. Cerussite has a crystal structure that belongs to the orthorhombic crystal system. Its crystal structure is characterized by a three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in a repeating pattern. The crystal lattice of cerussite consists of interconnected lead (Pb) and carbonate (CO3) ions. This crystal structure is visible in the specimen. This specimen was found in Dundas (formerly Mount Dundas), a historical mining locality, mineral field and railway located on the western foothills of the West Coast Range in Western Tasmania. During the 1890s Dundas swelled in numbers however it is now lost in a temperate rainforest and its population is now 2. The present Dundas Extended mine, about 1.5 km east of Dundas is presently worked for specimen material.Faceted cerussite gems are considered rare and valuable, given the softness of the mineral. This item is not a faceted gem however its historical and scientific research potential give it significance; mined in an Australian township, this cerussite could shed light on the now lost history of Dundas and the mining that occurred there. Additionally, the uses of this mineral in historical industrial processes give it scientific significance. Such knowledge can add to understandings of the geographical and geological nature of Western Tasmania and allow for further study of Australian geological specimens. A small lead carbonite mineral with shades of cream, white and brown throughout, flaky shards of white at base. CERUSSITE / (lead carbonite) / Locality: Dundas, W. Tasmaniadundas, tasmania, cerussite, lead, orthorhombic, geology, minerals, mining

Garnet is a popular gemstone used in jewellery due to its hardness and durability. There are about 5 varieties of Garnet, which distinguish the colour of each stone. In Australia mostly Pyrope and Aimandine varieties are found; Pyrope, which is blood-red to black and Aimadine, which is brownish-red to black. Other varieties are rarely found in Australia. The garnets visible in this specimen are likely Pyrope. Galnea is the natural mineral form of lead sulphide and has had various uses throughout history; from makeup to car batteries. It was first mined in South Australia in 1841. Green feldspar is an amazonite mineral, a variety of the potassium feldspar called microcline. This particular mineral is considered uncommon. It has been used in jewellery throughout history. It is likely that this specimen was found in Broken Hill, NSW, presumed due to findings of specimens with similar combinations. Broken Hill is Australia’s longest-lived mining city. The city’s fortunes have come and gone against an extreme economic background of boom and bust which continues today.This geological specimen is a rarity, given that is formed of three distinct minerals and the richness of colour that remains visible in this item attests to the strength of each structure. As we cannot pinpoint exactly where this specimen was found further research can only strengthen what is known about mining within Australia. As such the item is significant due to its scientific rarity and its ability to represent three specimens in one. A solid palm-sized mineral that features shades of grey, red and green. garnet, galnea, green feldspar, minerals, mining, rare specimen

Majority of Galena in Australia is found in hydrothermal deposits emplaced around 1680 million years ago which have been heavily metamorphosed. Galena is the natural mineral form of lead sulfaide. It occurs generally as fine to large crystals due to syntectonic remobilization at low temperatures and moves to a suitable location. The colour is a shining lead and silvery gray with high specific gravity between 7.2 and 7.6 gms/cm3 and contains 86.6 lead sulfaide in its purest form. Its cyrstal system is cubic with perfect cleavages, and contract penetration and lamellar twinning. This particular specimen is from the Broken Hill mine, it is one of the largest lead mines located in Western New South Wales and still has ore reserves amounting to 20.9 million tonnes of ore grading of 7.4% lead, 9.4% zinc, and 61.5 million oz of Silver. Throughout its history, it has produced over 200 million tonnes of ore throughout its 127 years of mining history dating back to 1885. Galena mineral ore found in Australia is considered rare, as it is only currently found in the Broken Hill Mine of Western New South Wales. It represents heritage value through the systematic collecting of the geological surveyers in Victoria and Australia during the early to late 19th Century. The fact that it is only found in one mining area of Australia, shows that this specimen is rare for examples of Australian Galena. This mineral specimen is one part to a larger collection, aquistion, and distribution of Garnet in Galena around Australia and parts of the world and donated to the Burke Museum between 1860-1880. While this specimen was not found by the Victorian Geological Survey, it shows the historical need for mapping geological areas around the Gold Rush region to further identify areas of precious metal and gem aquisition. Additionally, collecting these specimens was an important part of mapping the scientific make up of the earth's surface. Many were sent to institutions for further contribution to research and scientific knowledge of the specimens. A solid coin-sized lead and zinc sulphaide and zinc silicate ore mineral in shades of black and red with shiny black points. GARNET CRYSTALS in / GALENA (lead sulphide), / SPALERITE (zinc sulphide), / WILLEMITE (zinc silicate) ore. / Locality: Broken Hill, NSWburke museum, #beechworth, indigo shire, beechworth museum, geological, geological specimen, mineral, galena, galena quartz, broken hill mine, broken hill, nsw

Pyrite also known as iron Pyrite or fools gold is an iron sulfide with a chemical formula of FeS2 and is the most abundant sulfide mineral. Its metallic luster and pale brass-yellow hue give it a superficial resemblance to gold for which its nickname of Fools Gold comes from. There are a number of iron pyrite mines in Victoria and many would have been mined during Victoria's Gold Rush revolution in the 19th century. As it's lustrius yellow metallic look closely resembles gold, it is likely that it was often mistaken for gold as real gold was also often found in similar metamorphic and sedimentary rock. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these collections were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush). Collecting these specimens was an important part of Australia's early Geoplogical scientific discovery for mapping the earth's surface. It is unknown where in Victoria this specimen was mined from however; it shows strong provenance connections to Victoria's gold mining history and represents through larger economic and cultural structures the impact the Gold Rush had on Victoria during the 19th century. A solid coin-sized Pyrite crystal in black slate in shades of beige with tiny crystal structures. Pyrite / crystals / BB / in black slate / probably / victoria / (nice specimen)geology, geological specimen

The Victoria Quartz Gold Mine was situated on Victoria Hill, Ironbark, (1877 - 1913). At the turn of the century, this was the site of one of the premier mines on the Bendigo goldfield. In 1908, it boasted the world's deepest shaft - 4,478 feet (1,365 metres). The shaft reached a depth of 4,613 feet (1,406 metres) in 1910. In 1857 eight small claims in this area had been merged to form the Victoria Reef Quartz Mining Co. Another merger in 1877 led to the formation of the Victoria Quartz Co. For the next three decades, the mine produced consistent profits. In 1910, water burst into the claim, flooding the shaft and halting operations. The company baled water for six months then handed the mine over to the tributers who worked the upper levels for the share of the profits. The mine closed in 1913, having produced over 48,000 ounces of gold and paid dividends of £99,600. (Source, Goldfield Guide https://www.goldfieldsguide.com.au/explore-location/400/victoria-hill-mining-reserve/) Victorian Heritage Register information on mine: Statement of Significance Last updated on - July 14, 2005 The story of quartz mining on Victoria Hill lies at the heart of Bendigo's historical status as the world's richest and deepest reefing field. Gold was discovered on Victoria Hill in 1854, and by early 1855 claims had been taken up over its entire extent. Shafts were first worked by windlass, whip or whim, and primitive crushing batteries were in operation. By 1861, Victoria Hill had yielded at least 1,200,000oz in gold. One of the early claims on Victoria Hill was owned by Prussian immigrants, Christopher Ballerstedt and his son Theodore. In 1854, they bought a claim on the hill for £80, to which they subsequently added other claims, and from the quartz veins (called spurs), worked both by shafts and a large open cut, obtained gold worth nearly £200,000. Christopher Ballerstedt was dubbed 'Father of the Hill' and has been credited as the first to debunk the theory at that time prevalent on the Bendigo field, that the gold content of reefs would diminish at depth. As his shafts plunged below the 200-foot level, the quartz remained rich in gold. His success inspired others, and so led the way to Bendigo's later status as the world's deepest and richest goldfield. The Ballerstedt's built Bendigo's grandest mansion, Fortuna. Theodore continued to work Victoria Hill after his father's death, but in 1871, convinced that his claim was exhausted, he sold both mine and mansion to George Lansell for £60,000. Lansell's mine on Victoria Hill was called the 180, and operated under his ownership until his death in 1906. The mine supplied the initial wealth that made Lansell Bendigo's 'Quartz King'. George Lansell was such a force in Bendigo's mining history that his death was cited as one of the reasons for the decline of Bendigo as a quartz mining centre, The Victoria Hill Quartz Gold Mines are of historical, archaeological and scientific importance to the State of Victoria. The Victoria Hill Quartz Gold Mines are historically significant as the symbolic heart of Bendigo's famous goldfield. The mines are linked to nineteenth-century individuals (Christopher Ballerstedt and George Lansell) who played prominent roles in the evolution of Bendigo. Both men's fortunes and their influence on Bendigo, originated from mining operations carried out on the hill. The Victoria Hill Quartz Gold Mines are historically and scientifically important as characteristic examples of an important form of gold mining. Gold mining sites are of crucial importance for the pivotal role they have played since 1851 in the development of Victoria. As well as being a significant producer of Victoria's nineteenth century wealth, quartz mining, with its intensive reliance on machinery, played an important role in the development of Victorian manufacturing industry. The Victoria Hill Quartz Gold Mines are important as a manifestation of this aspect of gold mining. The Victoria Hill Quartz Gold Mines are scientifically important, as they contain relics span nearly sixty years of mining (1854 to 1913), documenting the richest and most significant years of Bendigo's world-famous quartz mining industry. Enhancing the significance of the place are relics from the Victoria Quartz Company operations, ncluding, at 4,870 feet, the world's deepest nineteenth-century gold mining shaft. As a postscript to the chronology of gold mining is the surviving crushing machinery (formerly part of the Bendigo Crushing Works) which was erected near the foundations of Lansell's 180 mine in 1932, to crush quartz for nearby mines. The place has a potential to yield artefacts and evidence which will be able to provide significant information about the technological history of gold mining. [Source: Victorian Heritage Register] Hermes Number 8506 https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/index.php/places/8506/download-report Hand drawn plan of the bottom section of the Victoria Quartz Gold Mine. Mine shaft shown from 2706 feet to 5200 (potential) feet shown, with annotation regarding geological features and gold obtained from different level crushings. Blue border sticker on outside of plan: '13 BC 23 Victoria Quartz Trans-Section'. Plan is not dated. The Victoria Quartz plan is part of the Margaret Roberts Collection.victoria hill quartz gold mine, victoria hill