Lake George Mine, Captains Flat, NSW, Australia
Posted by: 
Tealby
S 35° 35.572 E 149° 26.510
55H E 721223 N 6058462
Gold was first found in the area in 1852. A variety of minerals were subsequently mined at this site until the mine was eventually closed in 1962.
Waymark Code: WM1VYC
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Date Posted: 07/16/2007
Views: 147
The Reverend W. B. Clarke, an enthusiastic geologist, discovered gold in the area as early as 1852. He reported his discovery to the local landholders who, not wanting thousands of prospectors all over their land, managed to keep the news quiet until 1874. By 1881 fossickers had found substantial deposits of reef gold and major mining operations opened up the area. The following year copper was found and by the late 1890s the town was booming. It was around this time that the town's population reached 3,000.
By 1899 the mines were closing down and the town, like so many mining settlements, started to disappear. By the 1930s there were only about 150 people living in the town and most of the equipment which had been used in the 1890s had been removed.
Then, in 1937, Lake George Mines built a 39 kilometre railway to Bungendore and with new drilling techniques and flotation plants reopened the whole area. Once again Captains Flat was successful. By the end of the 1930s it was second-only to Broken Hill as its mines produced vast quantities of gold, silver, lead, zinc, copper and iron pyrites. By 1962 this flurry of mining was over. The railway line closed down and the town returned to a sleepy hollow once again.
Mine Type: Abandoned Mine
Mineral Collecting: Not Known
Material Mined: Precious Metal
Operation: Underground Mine
Surface Features: Yes
KNOWN DANGERS:
General care should be taken, but there is little danger if you remain in the roped off section where the interpretive signs are located. If you venture off the path there is danger of slipping on loose rocks.
Any Other information:
The area provides a great lookout over the township of Captains Flat. There is not a lot to be seen of the old mine works, but the interpretive signs give some details and photos of what was previously housed on the visible foundations etc.
Any associated website: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Optional photograph welcomed.