Tent dwellings at Big River, Reefton.

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DescriptionAndy Bone‎.."An early Big River photo .Phyllis Bone nee Topp and Richard (Dick)my Grandparents Bone,lived in a tent in the early years."

The Big River mine operated from 1882 to 1942, with peak production across 1907 to 1924. The mine was the seventh largest producer for the Reefton district, amounting to 124,060 tons of quartz crushed, for 135,965 ounces of gold, at a grade of 34.1.

The Big River lode was discovered by Hugh F. Doogan in 1880. A company was formed in 1882, but mining was intermittent, due to the isolated location. A road had been constructed into the site by 1886, and this led to the erection of a 10 head stamp mill (foundations can still be seen), water race, and aerial tramway. After some dis-appointing crushing results, mining ceased. In 1897, the tailings were sold to a Mr. McDonald, who erected a cyanide plant, and processed 4,000 tonnes at much profit. The battery house was broken into, and two plates holding gold amalgam was stolen in 1902, during a period of mining inactivity.

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Map^[1]External LinkBig River Mine, ReeftonContributorAndy Bone

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Location (city or town)Big RiverReeftonPersonPhyllis BoneRichard BoneEventTent dwellings at Big River, Reefton.

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Date Created6th January 2020CommentsDenise Biddick Andy Bone maybe name our grandparents when you share their photos. Phyllis Bone nee Topp and Richard (Dick) Bone. Gives context and credits them for the photos.

Rae Rae
My grandad emigrated from Tasmania during the mining downturn there to work the Big River Mine. My nana used to cook for some of the single men and my great uncle owned the boarding house. My dad was the 5th child but the first to be born in NZ

Ray Swift

Worked at big river with Malc Sadler building new hut there great place loved it stayed in the wee hut near the river we also built croesus hut above blackball

Naiomi Brydie
Went on a school Geography trip there many years ago....hiked up the hill to a hut, went to few mines in the area. Was an awesome trip.

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Tent dwellings at Big River, Reefton.

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