Maldon - The North British Mine
The remains of the North British Mine can be seen on Parkin's Reef Road opposite Carmen's Tunnel.
THE GOLD RUSHES
Maldon is one of a group of Victorian towns that was born with the great alluvial gold rushes of the 1850's and survived beyond the golden decade, through the exploitation of quartz reef gold. Alluvial gold was first discovered in Maldon in late 1853, followed by quartz reef gold in December 1854. Parkins Reef was first opened in 1857.
The Parkin's Reef area was initially mined by several companies, which were consolidated into one company, Parkins Reef Quartz Mining Association in the 1860's. However, the Association failed in 1864 due to poor yields and want of capital. The claim was then purchased by James Ward, John Robinson and Robert Dent Oswald. Within a year Oswald had bought out his partners, and he then registered the lease as the North British Mining and Crushing Company.
There is an interesting and informative description of quartz mining at the entrance area to the mine remains.
ROBERT DENT OSWALD
In the 1880's the North British Mine was described as one of the richest in the world, and it was owned by one man - Robert Dent Oswald.
Oswald was born in 1830 at Lauriston, County Stirling, Scotland. In 1854 he emigrated to Victoria as a carpenter and briefly worked in Melbourne. Due to shortage of labour his wages were high but the lure of gold and higher rewards soon drew him to Maldon. Here he worked in small co-operative parties and when the Parkins Reef Association was formed he was appointed manager. From about 1859 he operated a small crushing works - the Caledonian, in Long Gully (along High St.). It was probably the profits from this battery that enabled him to buy out his partners. At the same time he speculated in shares and the formation of other public mining companies. In the 1860's he was able to purchase the other major mine on Parkin's Reef, and the Independent.
THE NORTH BRITISH MINE
Oswald's purchase of the Parkin's Reef mines was not immediately profitable. Due to Maldon's shareholders being paid prodigious dividends and no funds being laid aside for development, when yields dropped the mining industry fell into a depressed state in the 1870's. At that time Oswald's fortunes changed dramatically when rich stone was found at the 150ft level of the North British. Oswald then set about refurbishing the mine. In 1877 a Head Frame was erected above the shaft and a Steam Winder was installed. Compressed Air Rock Drills were introduced and by 1885 a new Battery was erected. Between 1885-1889 Oswald's mines produced almost 50,000 ounces of gold.
In December 1890 a fire destroyed the winding and pumping machinery. Oswald's 100 miners were laid off for 2 months while he refurbished the mine and installed new machinery. A chlorination plant was installed to treat the tailings. With a large accumulation of tailings, the chlorination works promised a rich harvest of gold. However, Oswald died in 1891 before he could see returns on his investment in this new plant. The wealth from this mine made Oswald one of the State's most renowned `quartz kings'. Unlike other 'quartz kings' he took an active and open part in the civic life of Maldon. He served as a Justice of the Peace and as president of the Shire of Maldon. His home 'Lauriston' can be seen in High Street, opposite the Caledonian kilns, and his is buried in the Maldon Cemetery.
After Oswald's death, the trustees of his estate continued to operate the mine until 1913. It was then floated as a public company and continued employing labour until 1928. The mine was the second last to close in Maldon. By 1926 it had produced well over 242,000 ounces of gold.
More detailed information can be found at the site and the Maldon Museum and Archives
In the early 1900's ...
"The miners started work about 7.00am for the looming shift. All over town you could hear the miners' whistles going. Then the stamping batteries would start up. Mr Stacey said it was like living near trains... it sounded strange when they stopped. Their cottage was over the road from the Oswald's mine, and when they finally stopped at 11.00pm, they would mil-) up because it was suddenly quiet,"
Interview with Toni and Bertha Stacey, Parkins Reef Road, Maldon, June 1988
Location
Parkins Reef Road, Maldon 3463 Map
