A1 Mine Settlement, Victoria
Encyclopedia
A1 Mine Settlement is a town in Victoria
, Australia
, located north of Woods Point on the Mansfield
- Woods Point Road, in the Shire of Mansfield. The town has also been known as Castle Reef, Castle Point, and Raspberry Creek.
The town began after gold was discovered at Raspberry Creek in 1862. The name "A1" indicated that the quality of the gold mined here was 'First Class'. During the late 1860s the town known as Castle Reef had a population of around 300, a Post Office under that name opening on 11 January 1868 (closing 1875). It included two hotels, a general store, a school, a church, and possibly a restaurant. The town's industry was centred on a crushing machine which worked the three gold reefs in the area. These sites and others were amalgamated into the A1 Mine, which continued operation until 1992.
A receiving office opened here on 1 July 1910; it was later upgraded to a non-official post office
and closed on 9 March 1967.
The A1 Mine has historically produced in excess of 450,000 ounces of gold and was one of Australia’s longest operating mines having been worked from 1861 through to 1992.
November 2009, Department of Primary Industry Victoria and Mansfield Shire
approvals have been received to commence site works required as part of the evaluation program for the A1 Gold Mine. Initial works will involve the setting up of a site office, workshops and ancillary buildings to support mining activities. Community consultation meetings were commenced in September 9, these are an ongoing part of the evaluation and will continue through the life of the operation.
Establishment of the decline portal is expected during November, while dewatering and underground drilling are expected to commence in the New Year when final approvals are received.
and Ten Mile.
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, located north of Woods Point on the Mansfield
Mansfield, Victoria
Mansfield is a small town in the foothills of the Victorian part of the Australian Alps. It is approximately 180 km north-east of Melbourne...
- Woods Point Road, in the Shire of Mansfield. The town has also been known as Castle Reef, Castle Point, and Raspberry Creek.
The town began after gold was discovered at Raspberry Creek in 1862. The name "A1" indicated that the quality of the gold mined here was 'First Class'. During the late 1860s the town known as Castle Reef had a population of around 300, a Post Office under that name opening on 11 January 1868 (closing 1875). It included two hotels, a general store, a school, a church, and possibly a restaurant. The town's industry was centred on a crushing machine which worked the three gold reefs in the area. These sites and others were amalgamated into the A1 Mine, which continued operation until 1992.
A receiving office opened here on 1 July 1910; it was later upgraded to a non-official post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
and closed on 9 March 1967.
The A1 Mine has historically produced in excess of 450,000 ounces of gold and was one of Australia’s longest operating mines having been worked from 1861 through to 1992.
Reworking the A1 Mine
August 2009, Heron Resources purchased an Option to acquire and reopen the A1 Gold Mine. During the Option period (two years) a feasibility study will be completed using the results from the evaluation program.November 2009, Department of Primary Industry Victoria and Mansfield Shire
Mansfield Shire
The Shire of Mansfield is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia. It is located in the north-eastern part of the state. It includes the towns of Mansfield, Mount Buller, Bonnie Doon, Jamieson, Kevington, Merrijig and Woods Point...
approvals have been received to commence site works required as part of the evaluation program for the A1 Gold Mine. Initial works will involve the setting up of a site office, workshops and ancillary buildings to support mining activities. Community consultation meetings were commenced in September 9, these are an ongoing part of the evaluation and will continue through the life of the operation.
Establishment of the decline portal is expected during November, while dewatering and underground drilling are expected to commence in the New Year when final approvals are received.
Fire problems
In 2006, A1 Mine Settlement was threatened by bushfires. Not much of the town remains anymore except a couple of houses which survived. The whole area was burnt including Gaffneys CreekGaffneys Creek, Victoria
Gaffneys Creek is a former mining locality situated between Jamieson and Woods Point in Victoria, Australia. It is located at the junction of Gaffney and Raspberry Creeks in a steep valley in mountainous terrain...
and Ten Mile.