About the mine

Can't See for Looking

In 1853, the Archer brothers entered the Dee River Valley looking for cattle country. They were probably the first Europeans to see Iron Mountain (Mount Morgan) - just another hill at the north end of Dee Valley.

As far back as 1858, the area had several gold finds. It was alluvial gold that prospectors looked for and found. They tramped the gullies and ignored the mountain right above them.

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By 1881, a mine owned by Fred Morgan and Thomas Hall was operated by Morgan's two brothers, Tom and Edwin (Ned).

Thomas Morgan		Edwin Morgan

The next year Tom and Ned Morgan went to hunt for silver, despite torrential rain and bitter cold. While fossicking on the top of a mountain Ned picked up a black stone. Later, Ned crushed the stone and found it rich in gold.

The Morgans soon pegged claims on the mountain. They were granted leases and renamed the mountain, Mount Morgan.

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In 1882, Fred, Tom and Ned Morgan, William D'Arcy (solicitor), Thomas Hall (bank manager), and William Pattison (grazier), formed a syndicate to mine the ore body.

The mine officially closed in 1981, although reclamation work continued for several years.

Over 99 years, it yielded 225,000 kilograms of gold, but as if that were not enough, it also yielded 50,000 kilograms of silver and 360,000 tonnes of copper.

The original Iron Mountain became a very large hole, 325 metres deep.

Tour: Historic Mount Morgan mining

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home : visitors orientation : mine : railway precinct : morgan st walk
visit the museum : around town : education : behind the scenes
the hooter

email: mmtic@bigpond.net.au

© Mount Morgan Experience 2002 - 2008

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Original site by Toadshow

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