Bell Hill Mine, Greymouth, Grey District, West Coast Region, New Zealandi
| Regional Level Types | |
|---|---|
| Bell Hill Mine | Mine |
| Greymouth | - not defined - |
| Grey District | District |
| West Coast Region | Region |
| New Zealand | Country |
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Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
42° 32' 32'' South , 171° 36' 48'' East
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
Type:
Köppen climate type:
Nearest Settlements:
| Place | Population | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Gloriavale Christian Church | 570 (2017) | 10.2km |
| Blackball | 321 (2011) | 25.3km |
| Dobson | 738 (2011) | 27.7km |
| Greymouth | 9,419 (2011) | 34.9km |
| Barrytown | 225 (2012) | 39.8km |
Hydraulic gold mining was conducted here from 1896 into the very early 20th Century, and again from 1931 to 1935.
The first company was the Bell Hill Gold Mining Company, the second in the 1930's was the Bell Hill Gold Sluicing Company Ltd. Both were washing clay off the mine face for fine gold.
Little information was found on the first company. In 1897 it is noted 125 hours of water mining achieved 48.5 ounces, and in 1899 130 hours use of water produced 30 ounces. The last of the very limited reports was found in 1901.
The second company investigated the site in 1931. They were joined by a government inspector, who tested the site at 43.3 grains of gold per cubic yard at 90 feet from the bottom. The company applied for a government grant to open the mine. Walter Tisch was managing director of the company. One shareholder wrote a letter in 1932 complaining of delays in the mine starting. Mining was suspended at one point due to a lack of water, then early February 1933, much of the infrastructure at the mine was damaged in a flood.
Examples of gold obtained was 30 hours use of water for 32 ounces (1932), 105 hours for 34 ounces (1933), 92 hours 32 ounces (1934). A letter from a disgruntled shareholder in 1934 stated the mine had started in a blaze of glory with testing showing strong gold results, yet three years later the gold won had not paid expenses (and I gather no dividends to shareholders), and claimed the company was not producing reliable information.
Bell Hill is approximately 50 kilometres by road east south-east of Greymouth. To reach turn off state highway 7 at Ngahere and head to Nelson Creek, then continue on. Tunnels, water races, and a miners hut are said to be at the location, and grassed over remains of the shallow pits. While close to a road, the land is on private property, although accessible to anyone staying at the accommodation on the farm, called the Bell Hill Retreat. Small scale modern alluvial gold mining has occurred on the opposite side of the homestead.
List of minerals for each chemical element
Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality
Australian PlateTectonic Plate
- Buller TerraneAccretionary Complex
New Zealand
- South IslandIsland
- Southern AlpsMountain Range
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