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This article is taken from the Australian Town and Country Journal, 30th April 1870, p. 17:
“MR. C. LEICESTER, mining-engineer of Sydney, a gentleman who has had several years’ experience in extensive mining ventures at Ballarat, Bendigo, and Castlemaine, and who lately successfully floated the Cargo United Quartz-mining and Crushing Company, has been engaged by the holders of the Royal Standard leases, Washington reef, Tuena, to examine and report upon that mining property.
“After two days spent in the ranges in close examination of the relative position and character of this mine, Mr. Liecester has come to the conclusion that it is a continuance of the same reef on which the famous Washington mine exists; the nature of the stone, the underlay of the reef and its bearing, being exactly the same, forty degrees west of north. It lies to the south-east of the prospectors’ claim by about eight hundred yards; and it is the first indication existing where the Washington reef has cropped out on the surface after leaving No. 1 claim south. This lease comprises eight acres, and has a run of four hundred yards on the line of reef. It has been traced for three hundred yards within the proprietors’ boundary, and opened up in two places two hundred and forty yards apart, both shafts showing a well-defined reef, with an average width of four feet. From the northern shaft fully sixty tons of stone have been raised, and both the north and south shafts show well for gold. Mr. Leicester broke out several fine specimens, and were the gold as equally as it is so richly diffused, it would give very large returns; but he considers with so extensive a reef an average of one ounce of gold per ton may be fairly calculated upon, and that it will result in a far more profitable return than many narrow leaders give when yielding ounces.
This reef runs the whole length on the eastern slope of the ridge, and has a fall of four hundred feet to the bottom of the hill. By driving an adit westerly into the ridge seven feet high by five feet wide, at an elevation of one hundred feet from its base, the reef may be cross-cut within a distance in length of one hundred yards at a cost of L350, and then by sinking a shaft at the same tip on the dip of the reef you will form a junction with the adit, thus opening out the mine 300 feet in depth. By this latter work you ventilate the mine and raise to grass at least 500 tons of stone worth half-an-ounce of gold to the ton. This will not only have a handsome profit to the work done but develop the mine for the most economical system of working, as five drives may be then put in both north and south, and 100 tons of stone can then be delivered to the machine daily, at a cost not exceeding 2s. per ton. This cost will not be increased for a year or two; but naturally as the drives are extended the expense of getting the stone will be enhanced in a small ratio. By thus opening up the mine, the quantity of stone made available for stopping will be so large that ten years must be occupied in removing it at the rate of 100 tons per week.
“Croker’s Creek runs round the base of the ridge, from which a never-failing supply of water can be obtained sufficient for a very extensive plant; and an admirable site exists for machinery immediately under the mouth of the proposed tunnel, from which the stone can be conveyed by a shoot to the hopper. The natural advantages of the mine are very good, as the stone may be said to travel of its own accord from the time it is broken out, the expense of hauling and carting being totally avoided.
“The cost of crushing depends entirely upon the extent of the plant, as the expense attendant upon the working of twenty is nearly as much as upon forty head of stamps; and were the latter number employed the expense of reduction would not exceed two shillings per ton. Add to the above the outlay for extras, and you have a total expenditure that is covered by a return of 1 1/2dwt. of gold to the ton.
“At some future time it will be necessary to extend mining operations, which can be done by sinking a shaft near the site of the engine, which will intersect the reef at a depth of two hundred and fifty feet, and get three hundred and fifty feet additional backs.
“The favourable position of this mine offers such facilities for extensive and economical working, that it should not be surpassed by any Victorian mine; and it so well worthy of being represented by a hundred head of stamps as the Clunes mine, or the Black Hill mine, at Ballarat, which latter has paid dividends on a return of 2 1/2dwt. per ton.
“Mr. Leicester strongly recommends the use of Stephen’s patent amalgamator and separator on the last mentioned application before parting with the tailings. He considers the patent especially applicable where the quartz is impregnated with sulphurets and other foreign metals, which by their specific gravity, collect and waste the fine gold.
“Prospectors’ Claim, Washington Reef. - This mine comprise a lease of five acres. Although a return of 34oz. of gold per ton was obtained at the mint from one and a half ton of stone, no surprise need be expressed if the average yield to the present depth of sinking, which is about forty feet, should throughout exceed 26oz. to the ton, the vein averaging about two and a half feet wide. The erection of machinery is progressing and may be expected to be in full work within one month. This company intend to devote the use of one battery to crush for the public, an advantage that will no doubt be appreciated by the claim-holders on the numerous reefs opening up in the district.
“No. 1 North and No. 1 South of the Prospectors’ Washington Reef - each comprising a lease of four acres - are both using their utmost energy in sinking, and axpect to cut the same rich run of stone the prospectors are raising, within a further depth of from twenty to thirty feet.
“Victoria Reef is reported to be very good, and the prospectors shortly expect handsome returns.
“Great Britain Reff remains idle, being still in dispute. The prospects are good.
“Slaughter-yard Reef gives encouragement to the owners, who are sanguine of success.
“Two other reefs are reported to have been found in the neighbourhood, with good indications for gold; and there is little doubt but this district is rising in importance and will shortly be second to none in the colony.”
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