Spring Hill & Central Leads Gold Mining Co. - Mine & Machinery Site

Location

SMEATON VIC 3364 - Property No B5998

File Number

B5998

Level

State

Statement of Significance

The main shaft, engine foundations and mulloch dumps which belonged to the Spring Hill and Central Leads Company are situated just west of Central Leads Lane and north of its junction with the Daylesford-Clunes road.
Over 115,000 pounds was invested in installing a first class pumping and winding plant and in general mining operations without any dividends being declared. This is illustrative both of the confidence which many members of the general public had in the eventual profitability of the company and of the risks and costs associated with mining at the wetter northern end of the leads system.
The company's triple expansion steam pumping engine was the second such engine to be installed on any mine in Victoria and was made locally by the Phoenix Foundry at Ballarat.
Classified: 22/08/1988

Group

Mining and Mineral Processing

Category

Mine Machinery & relics