Maldon - Union Hill Gold Mine Lookout
There is an easily reached lookout point with views over the current mining operations of the Union Hill mine.
There is an information sign at the lookout which reads:
Gold was first discovered on this site in 1854. By the turn of the century when the first phase of mining ended, some 250,000 ounces of gold had been recovered from this site, mainly from underground workings by numerous individuals, associations and companies.
The workings you see before you are as a result of open cut mining between 1988 and 1992 to recover low grade portions of the main reef and surrounding quartz veinlets. In total, 2.5 million tonnes of rock was mined, including 1 million tonnes of ore which was treated at Porcupine Flat (some 3 kilometres away to the east). This yielded 55,000 ounces of gold, valued in excess of $25 million.
Alliance Gold Mines NL began operations on this site in 1994 in search of new underground ore resources. A decline with a 3 metre by 3 metre profile has been driven at a downward gradient of 1 in 7 northward from the far end of the open cut to access the quartz reefs below the present hill surface.
This viewing platform, funded by Alliance Gold Mines NL, was officially opened by Mr Mostyn Thompson, Chairman of Commissioners of the Mt Alexander Shire on 12 December 1995.
Review:
The steps to the lookout over the mine are about 80m north along Reef Street from the intersection of Lowther Street and Reef Street. There are some mullock heaps, heavy mine equipment and an underground mine entrance far back in the gully. An information sign explains the mining history of the site.
Location
Cnr Lowther Street and Reef Street, Maldon 3463 Map
