Kohinoor Gold Mining Company

The company was formed in 1857, covering 180 acres, with forty shareholders. Its purpose was to work the Golden Point gutter (deep lead alluvial gravels) down to 380 feet. Rich gold was obtained, with a large number of nuggets, including one 320 ounces. This nugget was shaped as a leg of mutton, and named Sir Dominic Daly, the then South Australian Governor, who was visiting the mine at the time. Most of the old nuggets were melted down.

The shaft was sunk further in 1860, located near the corner of Urquhart and Ascot streets to 145 metres on wash dirt 75 metres wide by 1864, containing rich gold. When this ran out, operations were suspended, and the New Koh-I-Noor Company was formed in 1877 on the Golden Point, Milkmaid and Malakoff leads, and several quartz lodes including Finns, Township (or Band and Albion lode), Guiding Star, and Prince of Wales reefs. Operations were mainly confined to the Band and Albion lode, with the main shaft at 1292 feet depth, with levels every 100 feet. A rich shoot was located at the 600 foot level, but it was short.

In 1868 the company purchased the Cosmopolitan shaft and lease. James Allen and Isaac Butson were found as mine managers. In 1876 a 20 stamp battery was installed from the Staffordshire Reef Company, and an engine from the Band of Hope No. 3 shaft.

In 1911, major shareholder and mine manager J.S. Trethowan died. In its later years he had financed the majority of the operations, and his death forced the mine to close.

Maps mark four widely spaced shafts. Two labelled as #1, with one the south-east corner of Talbot and Urquhart streets, and another #1 bordering the east side of Ascot Street, south of Urquhart Street. #2 is found several blocks south, while the New Koh-I-Noor shaft is to the east again by several blocks.

The company achieved 164 157 ounces of gold through its history, the third highest alluvial gold figure for the Ballarat goldfield.


 * For other mining companies with the same or similar names see Kohinoor.

The Kohinoor Gold Mining Company operated mines in Redan, 1857-1911.