NEW CHUM RAILWAY MINE SITE

The extant archaeological features of the New Chum Railway mine site include the remains of a winding engine located ~25-30m from the former mine shaft and associated historical archaeological features deposits and artefacts. The site has a documented history of mining activity at the site at least from 1871-1910.

[Updated 17 August 2023]

The New Chum Railway mine site is of historical and technological (scientific) significance at a regional level. 

[Updated 17 August 2023]

The New Chum Railway Mine is of historical significance because it is part of a group of sites considered significant including the New Chum Railway Mine site, the Government Battery-South Belle Vue Mine site, the Eureka Extended Mine site and the New Red White and Blue Consolidated Mine Site. The New Chum Railway Mine is associated with the 1880s revival phase of quartz mining that occurred in Bendigo. During this period new mining technology was introduced and adopted, and new payable reefs discovered at deeper depths. New Chum Railway Mine was one of Bendigo’s most successful mines during this period. For a brief period in 1905 the mine was also the deepest on the Bendigo gold field (Historical Theme 4.5).

 

The New Chum Railway Mine is of technological significance because the extant archaeological features evidence the adoption of interesting mining technology and the machinery foundations are of an unusual design.

[Updated 17 August 2023]