Location of State Gold Batteries
From 1897 the Victorian government provided assistance to quartz gold prospectors through the installation and operation of small quartz crushing facilities (known as government or State batteries) in localities where no privately-owned batteries were available for public use.
The batteries were erected in places where reefs showed promise, and were moved as demand (or lack of it) required.
Their number peaked between the wars, with a maximum of 33 in operation. Government crushing facilities were quite small concerns, at first equipped with only three head of stamps, rising in 1904 to a standard of five head. Sometimes the batteries were equipped with 6-heads. The batteries were originally powered by steam, but producer-gas, oil, and electricity eventually replaced steam power.
Only six gold batteries still survive in Victoria. They are located at Bright, Creswick, Maldon, Mount Egerton, Rutherglen and Wedderburn.
Remaining State Gold Batteries in Victoria:
The Bright State Battery is a historic gold ore crushing machine and museum. It was built by the Department of Mines in 1957 to assist local gold prospectors and then donated to th ..
Creswick State Gold Battery is one of six government batteries still remaining in Victoria. It is located overlooking Creswick Creek. The 1902 battery is housed within a shed wi ..
The Maldon State Battery consists of the remains of the former State Battery including buildings and machinery, the Alliance shaft and associated mining machinery foundations, seve ..
The Mount Egerton State Gold Battery was established in 1912 on the site of the former Blackhorse Mine. There is a restored five head stamp battery which resides within a shed a ..
The Rutherglen Gold Battery is located on the northern fringe of the township, an easy walk from the centre of town. Its purpose was to crush quartz from nearby quartz reefs and ex ..
The Wedderburn Gold Battery is a five head stamp battery which was known as "New Hope". The battery was paid for by the government and opened in 1905 in the hope that it would lead ..
