Muckleford - Dunn's Reef
The Dunn's Reef historic site has an extensively mined, large open cut mine from an outcrop of quartz. There is an interesting loading ramp which has mostly collapsed.
An information at site has the following text:
Before mining took place, Dunn's Reef was an exposed quartz reef protruding from the earth. From the late 1850s Dunn's Reef became an open cut quartz mine. Gold was extracted from the quartz by 'roasting' the material to soften it, then crushing it in huge stamp batteries. The crushed quartz was then washed to separate the gold. Day and night, loud stamping could be heard throughout the goldfields.
The track below leads to the remains of the Dunn's Reef loading ramp. Can you imagine the hardworking miners, loading materials from the ramp into the loud stamp battery below? The dam was then used as a water source for separating the gold from the quartz.
Timeline Diagram
Late 1850s
Dunn's Reef is opened for mining
1859
The mine shaft reaches a depth of 320 feet (97.5 metres)
Early 1860's
Concord Association try their luck at Dunn's Reef
1875
Dunn's Reef Company begin a seven year stint at the reef
1876
Dunn's Reef Company makes a cross-cut at a level of 200 feet (61 metres) to follow a reef rich in gold.
1882
Mining by Dunn's Reef Company ceases
1914
The reef is re-opened by the Concord Company
1915
Concord Company close their mine at Dunn's Reef
How to get to the site
Dunn's Reef is about 50m north of Dunns Reef Track along a 4WD track. Part way along there is a split in the track with the right track leading to the mine and the left track leading to the remains of the loading ramp.
Location
Dunns Reef Track, Muckleford 3451 Map
