Belconnen mine start date 1894

tunnel lenght 30 metres 97 feet

Belconnel mine
is all the gold mines now on crown land eg power lines???
35°14'38.2"S 148°58'09.5"E

-35.243941, 148.969298

-35.243941, 148.969298
https://www.mindat.org/feature-8156725.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geology_of_the_Australian_Capital_Territory

View back towards the entrance from a point about 3/4 along the length of the
adit. With all that mud, it's a long way to the shop if you want a sausage roll...
Walking sticks were actively used to probe for any hidden winze. Fortunately,
no winze was located. It is considered that either the winze was not actually
sunk, although funded, or that it was backfilled. Great care was taken in case of
possible rotten shaft covering.
Note: Any vistors to this mine should not take this as authorative
information concerning the possibility of a winze.
Using a tape measure, the adit was found to have been driven to a length of 97
feet or 30 m, which concurs with the Carne report.
A deposit of galena and copper carbonate was tunneled in the Balconnel Gold
Mine around 1894. No significant gold was ever found there. The mine was
200 m downstream from the Molonglo River on the Murrumbidgee River with
coordinates 35°S deg 14' 38.3", 148°E deg 58' 13.6".[7]

There is a very well defined track you can take to get you to Uriarra Crossing
from Shepherds Lookout. Uriarra crossing is great for a picnic and it's an easy
walk to get there. But if you're after the mysterious mine the path is not as
easy. From the lookout, head towards Uriarra Crossing and the Molonglo River.
As you get closer to the river level you will need to keep an eye out for the
turnoff to get to the mine. On your right you should see a faint path/animal
track that looks as though it will lead you to the base of the cliff underneath the
lookout. Follow this path (if you're comfortable going off the trail) for
approximately 330m and keep the cliff close to your right. You will see the
Belconnel Mine opening with its distinct square edges. GPS coordinates of this
cave are: LAT -35.24301 and LONG: 148.96960.

Report upon the Deposit of Galena at Belconon, near Queanbeyan.

Sir, Department of Mines, Geological Survey Branch, Sydney, 31 August, 1898.
I now have the honour to report upon the deposit of galena occurring at
Belconon, near Queanbeyan, which I have recently examined in accordance
with your instructions:
Position of the metalliferous deposit.-The metalliferous lode is situated in the
County of Murray, on the right bank of the Murrumbidgee River, and about 200
yards below the point where this river junctions with the Molonglo.
Geology of the district.-The country is composed of Silurian (?) slates,
possessing for the most part an almost vertical dip, interstratified with beds of
crystalline limestone, these sedimentary formations being intruded by large
bosses and by dykes of quartz felsite. It is on the side of a hill which overlooks
the Murrumbidgee River, composed of quartz felsite in which the Belconon ore
deposit occurs.
Nature of the lode.-The load trends N. 20 deg E., and, as far as one is able to
judge from the work already performed, dips about 80 deg at S. 30 deg E. A
good western wall - which can be readily recognised by reason of the
slickenside faces and deposits of flucan upon it - has been discovered in one
place, but no defined eastern wall would seem to exist. At present, however, in
no place has a complete section of the lode been exposed in the workings.
Immediately adjoining the western wall the deposit would seem to be
composed entirely of quartz, galena, and other commonly-occurring
veinstones, but these give place beyond to country rock (quartz felspar) in
which thin veins and small nests of ore occur.
Probable dimensions of lode.-The plane of faulting, which forms the western
wall, has evidently determined the position of the ore deposit, and in
considering the probable extension of the latter, both in vertical and horizontal
direction, this slide may be placed as a favourable indication of its permanency.
Work done.-The lode has been opened from the hillside, on its
western wall, by means of an open cutting, 35 yards for tn feed t I’m,
which has penetrated into the rock for distances varying from 4 feet to
10 feet ; the face is still in ore.
Ore contained in lode.-The ore at present won consists of galena, copper,
pyrites, and iron pyrites, associated in part with a gangue of quartz and in part
with quartz felsite.
No oxidised ore present in the lode.-Very little oxidation appears to have taken
place, and the only evidence in the workings situated on the outcrop which
suggests that the ore has been affected by its proximity to the atmosphere is
the presence of a small quantity of copper carbonate.
Results of assays of samples from lode.-I selected four samples of the best ore
from various places where the lode was exposed, and these samples were on
my return to town assayed by Mr. J. O. H. Mingaye, F.O.S. They yielded as
follows :
A.- Silver .......................... 1 oz. 19 dwt. 4 gr. per
.. ton.
Gold ............................ a trace.
..
Lead ............................ 27.71 per cent.
..
B.- Silver .......................... 1 oz. 19 dwt. 4 gr. per
.. ton.
Gold ............................ a trace.
..
Lead ............................ 37.71 per cent.
 ..
B.- Silver .......................... 1 oz. 19 dwt. 4 gr. per
.. ton.
Gold ............................ a trace.
..
Lead ............................ 37.71 per cent.
..
C.- Silver .......................... 1 oz. 8 dwt. 6 gr. per
.. ton.
Gold ............................ a trace.
..
Lead ............................ 10.65 per cent.
..
D.- Silver .......................... 1 oz. 8 dwt. 6 gr. per
.. ton.
Gold ............................ a trace.
..
Lead ............................ 15.33 per cent.
..
Having regard to the results of these assays, I am unable to speak favourably of
the Balconon lode, nor am I able to recommend its further exploitation at the
present time.
Low value of ore.-The average quantity of lead contained in these picked
samples is only 22.8 per cent, and, taking lead as worth £13 per ton, the utmost
value of the prospects of the ore after treatment would be £2 17s. Now, it will, I
think, at once be apparent that this sum of money would not be sufficient to
pay for the cost of mining, dressing, and smelting at a spot distant 20 miles
from the railway. The silver and gold, it need hardly be said, are not present in
sufficient quantities to pay for their own extraction.
Prospects of the district as regards future metalliferous discoveries.-I was
shown elsewhere on Mr. Campbell's run a spot where shode-stones of galena
had been obtained, and the district for some distance around would appear to
be likely to contain metalliferous deposits ; hence I am of opinion prospecting
operations should be continued.
I have, &c.;,
JOHN B. JAQUET,
The Government Geologist. ---------------- Geological Surveyor.

The second major reference was made by Carne in 1908 ('The Copper-Mining
Industry and the Distribution of Copper Ores in New South Wales', 2nd Ed,
Mineral Resources Geological Survey N.S.W., 6, 425 pp). According to Carne:

Inspector Godfrey reported a quartz lode containing sulphides of lead and

copper. Strike, S. 40deg E. ; dip, S. 50deg W. at about 75deg.
Opened by tunnel under bluff 14 feet high. Veins of galena worked here
previously. Quartz reef 1 foot 6 in. thick, cut at 14 feet in tunnel, carrying galena
and chalcopyrite.
Aid granted to sink a winze 50 feet. Tunnel continued to 55 feet. A leader 4 in.
wide carrying pyrites and galena cut at 36 feet. Aided to continue 100 feet in
tunnel. Nothing of value disclosed.

Thus, operations after 1908 within the Balconnel mine can be assumed to have
been insignificant.
Lastly, L. B. Gilligan of NSW Geological Survey listed the site as mine number 9,
grid reference 1979 6468 (yards), in his Mine Data Notes of 1975. Gilligan
summarised the Jacquet and Carne reports, adding some additional
observations in the Notes:
Primary production Lead, Silver, Gold
Geological setting Silurian
Host rocks Acid volcanics
Structure Minor fault or shear zone
Size classification < $10,000
Major minerals, primary Galena
Major minerals, secondary Cerussite
Minor minerals, primary Chalcopyrite, pyrite
Minor minerals, secondary Anglesite, malachite, chrysocolla
Type of deposit Vein
Geometry Parallel-sided, length much greater
than width
Gangue, major Quartz
Gangue, minor Host rock
Distribution of ore Massive-intermediate
Ore grainsize Medium
Supergene enrichment Absent
Strike 200deg
Dip 80deg S
Ore at depth Quartz reef 0.45 - 4.3 m in tunnel.
Leader 0.1 m with pyrite and
galena, 11 m into tunnel.
Exploration. The Mine Data Note's northing-easting grid co-ordinates were
transformed to a lattitude-longitude using Redfearn's formula. This allowed the
mine to be located within +/-30m using GPS. Unfortunately, this point was on
the crest of a ridge. However, the mine was found at the cliff base without too
much effort.

Report upon the Deposit of Galena at Belconon, near Queanbeyan.

Sir, Department of Mines, Geological Survey Branch, Sydney, 31 August, 1898.
I now have the honour to report upon the deposit of galena occurring at
Belconon, near Queanbeyan, which I have recently examined in accordance
with your instructions:
Position of the metalliferous deposit.-The metalliferous lode is situated in the
County of Murray, on the right bank of the Murrumbidgee River, and about 200
yards below the point where this river junctions with the Molonglo.
Geology of the district.-The country is composed of Silurian (?) slates,
possessing for the most part an almost vertical dip, interstratified with beds of
crystalline limestone, these sedimentary formations being intruded by large
bosses and by dykes of quartz felsite. It is on the side of a hill which overlooks
the Murrumbidgee River, composed of quartz felsite in which the Belconon ore
deposit occurs.
Nature of the lode.-The load trends N. 20 deg E., and, as far as one is able to
judge from the work already performed, dips about 80 deg at S. 30 deg E. A
good western wall - which can be readily recognised by reason of the
slickenside faces and deposits of flucan upon it - has been discovered in one
place, but no defined eastern wall would seem to exist. At present, however, in
no place has a complete section of the lode been exposed in the workings.
Immediately adjoining the western wall the deposit would seem to be
composed entirely of quartz, galena, and other commonly-occurring
veinstones, but these give place beyond to country rock (quartz felspar) in
which thin veins and small nests of ore occur.
Probable dimensions of lode.-The plane of faulting, which forms the western
wall, has evidently determined the position of the ore deposit, and in
considering the probable extension of the latter, both in vertical and horizontal
direction, this slide may be placed as a favourable indication of its permanency.
Work done.-The lode has been opened from the hillside, on its western wall, by
means of an open cutting, 35 yards long, which has penetrated into the rock for
distances varying from 4 feet to 10 feet ; the face is still in ore.
Ore contained in lode.-The ore at present won consists of galena, copper,
pyrites, and iron pyrites, associated in part with a gangue of quartz and in part
with quartz felsite.
No oxidised ore present in the lode.-Very little oxidation appears to have taken
place, and the only evidence in the workings situated on the outcrop which
suggests that the ore has been affected by its proximity to the atmosphere is
the presence of a small quantity of copper carbonate.
Results of assays of samples from lode.-I selected four samples of the best ore
from various places where the lode was exposed, and these samples were on
my return to town assayed by Mr. J. O. H. Mingaye, F.O.S. They yielded as
follows :
A.- Silver .......................... 1 oz. 19 dwt. 4 gr. per
.. ton.
Gold ............................ a trace.
..
Lead ............................ 27.71 per cent.
..
B.- Silver .......................... 1 oz. 19 dwt. 4 gr. per
.. ton.
Gold ............................ a trace.
..
 ..
Lead ............................ 27.71 per cent.
..
B.- Silver .......................... 1 oz. 19 dwt. 4 gr. per
.. ton.
Gold ............................ a trace.
..
Lead ............................ 37.71 per cent.
..
C.- Silver .......................... 1 oz. 8 dwt. 6 gr. per
.. ton.
Gold ............................ a trace.
..
Lead ............................ 10.65 per cent.
..
D.- Silver .......................... 1 oz. 8 dwt. 6 gr. per
.. ton.
Gold ............................ a trace.
..
Lead ............................ 15.33 per cent.
..
Having regard to the results of these assays, I am unable to speak favourably of
the Balconon lode, nor am I able to recommend its further exploitation at the
present time.
Low value of ore.-The average quantity of lead contained in these picked
samples is only 22.8 per cent, and, taking lead as worth £13 per ton, the utmost
value of the prospects of the ore after treatment would be £2 17s. Now, it will, I
think, at once be apparent that this sum of money would not be sufficient to
pay for the cost of mining, dressing, and smelting at a spot distant 20 miles
from the railway. The silver and gold, it need hardly be said, are not present in
sufficient quantities to pay for their own extraction.
Prospects of the district as regards future metalliferous discoveries.-I was
shown elsewhere on Mr. Campbell's run a spot where shode-stones of galena
had been obtained, and the district for some distance around would appear to
be likely to contain metalliferous deposits ; hence I am of opinion prospecting
operations should be continued.
I have, &c.;,
JOHN B. JAQUET,
The Government Geologist. ---------------- Geological Surveyor.

The second major reference was made by Carne in 1908 ('The Copper-Mining
Industry and the Distribution of Copper Ores in New South Wales', 2nd Ed,
Mineral Resources Geological Survey N.S.W., 6, 425 pp). According to Carne:

Inspector Godfrey reported a quartz lode containing sulphides of lead and

copper. Strike, S. 40deg E. ; dip, S. 50deg W. at about 75deg.
Opened by tunnel under bluff 14 feet high. Veins of galena worked here
previously. Quartz reef 1 foot 6 in. thick, cut at 14 feet in tunnel, carrying galena
and chalcopyrite.
Aid granted to sink a winze 50 feet. Tunnel continued to 55 feet. A leader 4 in.
wide carrying pyrites and galena cut at 36 feet. Aided to continue 100 feet in
tunnel. Nothing of value disclosed.

Thus, operations after 1908 within the Balconnel mine can be assumed to have
been insignificant.
Lastly, L. B. Gilligan of NSW Geological Survey listed the site as mine number 9,
grid reference 1979 6468 (yards), in his Mine Data Notes of 1975. Gilligan
summarised the Jacquet and Carne reports, adding some additional
observations in the Notes:
Primary production Lead, Silver, Gold
Geological setting Silurian
Host rocks Acid volcanics
Structure Minor fault or shear zone
Size classification < $10,000
Major minerals, primary Galena
Major minerals, secondary Cerussite
Minor minerals, primary Chalcopyrite, pyrite
Minor minerals, secondary Anglesite, malachite, chrysocolla
Type of deposit Vein
Geometry Parallel-sided, length much greater
than width
Gangue, major Quartz
Gangue, minor Host rock
Distribution of ore Massive-intermediate
Ore grainsize Medium
Supergene enrichment Absent
Strike 200deg
Dip 80deg S
Ore at depth Quartz reef 0.45 - 4.3 m in tunnel.
Leader 0.1 m with pyrite and
galena, 11 m into tunnel.
Exploration. The Mine Data Note's northing-easting grid co-ordinates were
transformed to a lattitude-longitude using Redfearn's formula. This allowed the
mine to be located within +/-30m using GPS. Unfortunately, this point was on
the crest of a ridge. However, the mine was found at the cliff base without too
much effort.
⟿ Belconnel Mine
Isn't Belconnel a strange name for a mine located in the Belconnen area of
Canberra? I thought so too! Belconnel Mine is the name given to this mine on
the internet though I suspect it was a typo in an old forum. I haven't been able
to find out the true name of this abandoned mine, perhaps it was never named.
I did however discover it dates back to 1893 when the geological surveyor
examined a silver-lead lode from the mine. Turns out the site was deemed not
worthy of further exploration (see this document from the Dep

artment of National Development for more information) . So how far does the
mine extend underneath the cliff? Approximately 20m. That seems to be the
furthest point the inspection of this area went although it is suggested the mine
could have been backfilled. You can go inside, squelching through the muddy
ground and I recommend using knee-high gumboots to get through the pools
of water that build up here.
There is no shortcut way to get back to the lookout. Simply backtrack to the
path and enjoy the steps back to Shepherds Lookout or continue on to Uriarra
Crossing.
⟿ If there is something I haven't covered here, or you want to get in touch
about hiking photography, please contact me! If you want me to come on a hike
with you, let me know!

Background. The Balconnel, also referred to as the Belconon, gold mine is

located in the Weetangra parish of the Murray county, close to the junction of
the Molonglo and Murrumbidgee rivers, approximately 10km from the centre of
the city of Canberra, and on the outskirts of the present day Belconnen town
centre. Although described as a gold mine, very little if any gold was probably
ever recovered.

Belconnen - A silver-lead lode was inspected by the geological surveyor in

1893 at a locality about 200 yards below the junction of the Molonglo and
Murrumbidgee Rivers on the right bank of the river. The ore contained galena,
chalcopyrite and pyrite, and selected samples showed a range of 10% - 38%
lead. Silver content was up to 1 oz 10 dwt per ton; the copper content was not
reported. The geological surveyor wrote: "Having regard to the results of these
assays, I am unable to speak favourably of the Belconnen lode, nor am I able te
recommend its further exploitation at the present time".

In 1884, there was a report on an area referred to simply as "private property

near Molonglo". In that year gold was discovered there, but the water required
pumping and the gold was "not in sufficient quan'Aty to pay for working"; there
is nothing to locate this occurrence. In 1919 "an attempt was made to search
for alluvial gold close to the Molonglo River on Carwoola Station, in the vicinity
of the turn off of the Queanbeyan road, but none of the prospectors were able
to bottom owing to the heavy flow of underground water". Possibly the two
reports refer to the same occurrence.

Gravity field[edit]
The gravity anomaly over the ACT has been measured and published on the
1:100000 Canberra Geological Map. High level points in the gravity field occur
at the head of Yass River just north of the east finger of the ACT of –
320 µm·s−2. 1 µm·s−2 is 0.1 milligals, so this level is –32 milligals. Another high
of –330 µm·s−2 is just north of the northernmost point of the ACT. The
contours in the ACT run NW–SE. At the Canberra GPO is about −440, at
Scriviner Dam −510, at Lake Tuggeranong Dam −600, and Banks −590. The
western end of Kambah has the lowest level in Canberra at −610. Oaks Estate is
−400, the highest levels in the metropolitan area are at Watson and Mitchell at
−350, and at Mulligans Flat at −345. This means that a 50 kg person, if
measured on a force scale rather than on a balance, would apparently weigh
1.3 grams more in Watson, than they would in western Kambah.[25]
A sensitive gravity measuring station is positioned on Mount Stromlo. This can
measure changes in the gravity field over time.
The gravity lows are due to the Murrumbidgee Batholith which is compose of
lighter rocks.[23]
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