Abandoned Hopes: Reef Mining on the Albert Goldfield, North-Western NSW

Abstract: After alluvial gold was discovered in the Milparinka-Tibooburra region in 1880, attention turned to developing the nearby gold-bearing quartz reefs. There were great hopes that the area, with similar geology to Bendigo would prove to be a rich reef-mining field. Companies were set up locally, in Melbourne and in Adelaide, but lack of water and difficulties in supplying such an arid and isolated region greatly hindered testing and development of the reefs. The crushing plant that was finally constructed proved inadequate. Capital was soon exhausted under the difficult conditions and although the local miners were persistent in their efforts, all attempts at reef mining were eventually abandoned. Until recently there have been only limited attempts to test the area using modern exploration methods.