Gold mining in Nova Scotia

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A particularly fine example of Nova Scotia gold Gold-Quartz-69041.jpg
A particularly fine example of Nova Scotia gold

Gold mining has been a part of Nova Scotia's heritage for 150 plus years and continues to this day. Over a million ounces of gold have been produced in the province since mining began in 1861. Although not as well known as the gold rushes of California, the Klondike, Australia, and South Africa, three distinct rushes resulted in an economic boom in the province and saw the birth and sometimes demise of many new communities. [1]

Contents

There are 65 declared gold districts in Nova Scotia. There were around 350 mines worked in these districts.

Geology

Most gold mining in the province has taken place south of the Minas Fault Zone in Meguma terrane, with three more mines in Cape Breton. [2]

Discovery and production

Richardson Gold Mine c. 1900 NSARMTNB41.jpg
Richardson Gold Mine c. 1900

Gold may have been sighted as early as 1578 when explorer Sir Humphrey Gilbert was given a patent to explore for gold and silver in the New World and explored along the coast. [3] [4] Additionally, village names such as Bras d'Or, Cape d'Or, and Jeddore (Jet d'Or) indicate that French settlers may have found gold, but no ancient workings or proof has been found. [3]

Gold was officially discovered in Nova Scotia in late May 1860, by John G. Pulsifer at Mooseland, Halifax County. [3] Prior to this, unofficial discoveries were made in the Musquodoboit and Fort Clarence areas in 1857. The first authenticated discovery was made by Captain Champagne L'Estrange of the Royal Artillery in 1858 in Mooseland, the same area where Pulsifer made his discovery two years later. [4]

First Gold Rush (1861–1874)

The first gold rush in Nova Scotia began in 1861 and lasted until 1874. Gold hysteria attracted thousands to the gold fields. This was the most dramatic of the rushes, initially characterized by the frenzy of inexperienced miners with dreams of striking it rich. [5]

In the beginning, the miners panned for gold or smashed quartz rocks with hand tools at small individual claims. Within a year, companies began arriving in the area with heavy machinery to construct shafts, dig ore, crush rock, and process the gold. They had the capital to finance underground mines and bought up smaller claims, consolidating them into larger holdings. [5]

In an effort to control the gold hysteria in April 1861, the government of Nova Scotia intervened and declared the Mooseland and nearby Tangier gold districts. [6] After the declaration, other discoveries along the Eastern Shore were quick to follow in the next half year. The communities of Tangier, Lawrencetown, The Ovens, Wine Harbour, Sherbrooke (Goldenville), Waverley, Country Harbour, Isaacs Harbour and Gold River sprung up 'overnight' and the miners and their families moved in. [3]

Second Gold Rush (1896–1903)

1906 map of gold districts 1906 Map of the province of Nova Scotia to illustrate report by E.R. Faribault, B.A. Sc. on the "Gold fields of Nova Scotia", by Geological Survey of Canada - commonwealth 4m90fh35.jpg
1906 map of gold districts

The second gold rush period was dominated by large companies, who continued buying up smaller claims, and hiring locals to mine and operate the stamp mills and machinery. Individual consignment miners, known as tributors, worked claims as well. The province became known as the place of "rich man's diggings" due to the large costs involved in deep mines working lower grade ore. Capital investment, often American and British, and the improved technology needed to build and operate the mines ballooned into a multimillion-dollar industry. This period is considered the golden age of gold mining in Nova Scotia. Production exceeded 20,000 ounces per year for sixteen years and in three of those years exceeded 30,000 ounces annually (1898, 1900, 1901). Along with racking up the highest yields per year, this period is noted more for organized planning than feverish hysteria. [5]

Third Gold Rush (1932–1942)

The demand for arsenopyrite, a mineral associated with gold in Nova Scotia, along with cheap energy costs and an increase in the price of gold (US$20.67 to US$34 per ounce), created an impetus for Nova Scotia's third gold rush. The rush spanned ten years (1932–1942) and 158,000 ounces (4,479,300 g) of gold were produced. [3]

Recent activity

Atlantic Gold (previously DDV Gold Ltd.) opened an open pit gold mine at Moose River Gold Mines in 2017. Deposits at the project named Touquoy hold an estimated 635,000 ounces of gold, worth $700 million in 2012. [7] The Moose River Gold Mines site will also process ore from the company's mine at its Beaver Dam deposit, 37 km away, which has an estimated yield of 426,600 ounces. [8] The Moose River mine will have a life of five years and Beaver Dam just three. [9] Production at the Touquoy deposit began in 2018. See also: Orex Exploration.

In 2018 the Government of Nova Scotia initiated the process of closing former gold mining sites in Montague Gold Mines and Goldenville that are heavily contaminated with arsenic and mercury. [10]

Gold districts

There are 65 declared gold districts in Nova Scotia. There were around 350 mines worked in these districts. [1]

Region [3] DistrictProduction StartProduction FinishProductionComment
YarmouthCarleton18791940190.2
YarmouthChegoggin1883not availableca. 1883
YarmouthCranberry Head18701900249.3
YarmouthKemptvllle188519392487.90
KejlmkujlkBrookfield1887193643147.50
KejlmkujlkFifteen Mile Brook19021934880.6
KejlmkujlkMolega (Malaga)1888195033460.20
KejlmkujlkPleasant River Barrens18901913111.8
KejlmkujlkStanburn1933193612.7
KejlmkujlkWest Caledonia19251.7
KejlmkujlkWhiteburn1887195511906.70
South ShoreBlockhouse189619383588.50
South ShoreGold River188919407610.40
South ShoreLeipsigate (Millipsigate)1884194613563.20
South ShoreMill Village19011951909.8
South ShoreThe Ovens18621958550.4
South ShoreVoglers Cove190543.4
CentralArdolse189019046.8
CentralCentral Rawdon188819396920.50
CentralChezzetcook188319445528.10
CentralCow Bay189619371483.50
CentralEast Rawdon1884193213501.00
CentralElmsdale18901.4
CentralGays River187019682268.20
CentralLake Catcha1887196117961.50
CentralLawrencetown18621912866.7
CentralMcKay Settlement1904191013.5
CentralMontague1863194065196.90
CentralMount Uniacke1867194127737.00
CentralOldham1862194685177.50
CentralRenfrew1862195851595.50
CentralSouth Uniacke1888194820762.10
CentralWaverley1862194072566.60
CentralWest Gore190519397148.80
Eastern ShoreBeaver Dam18891949966.7
Eastern ShoreCaribou1869196891335.80
Eastern ShoreClam Harbour190453.9
Eastern ShoreEcum Secum189319351300.00
Eastern ShoreFifteen Mile Stream1878194121291.60
Eastern ShoreGold Lake1890189938.6
Eastern ShoreHarrigan Cove187419618071.30
Eastern ShoreKillag188919513583.60
Eastern ShoreLake Charlotte1938196477.5
Eastern ShoreLittle Liscomb Lake1893193551.9
Eastern ShoreLochaber18832.3
Eastern ShoreMiller Lake19021951538.8
Eastern ShoreMoosehead18991935431.1
Eastern ShoreMooseland186319343865.101860, First Discovery in Nova Scotia
Eastern ShoreMoose River1888193925917.20Production before 1888 included with Caribou
Eastern ShoreQuoddy19061
Eastern ShoreSalmon River (Darrs Hill)1881193941805.40
Eastern ShoreSheet Harbour189819353.9
Eastern ShoreShip Harbour193519377.4
Eastern ShoreTangier1862191926286.50
Eastern ShoreUpper Stewiacke1906190743.9
StormontCaledonia193419563.6
StormontCochrane Hill187719822081.30
StormontCountry Harbour187119519959.70
StormontForest Hill1895195725102.40
StormontGoldenville (Sherbrooke)18621941209383.30
StormontIsaacs Harbour1862195839694.30
StormontLower Seal Harbour1894194934188.20
StormontUpper Seal Harbour1893195857845.70
StormontWine Harbour1862193942346.50
Cape BretonWagmatacook (Middle River)186419431729.40
Cape BretonStirling1936195616681.10

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References

  1. 1 2 "The History of Gold Mining in Nova Scotia - Introduction". 2013. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  2. "Gold map". Nova Scotia Gold. Art Museum of Nova Scotia. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6
  4. 1 2 "The History of Gold Mining in Nova Scotia - A Golden Discovery". 2013. Retrieved 2014-04-15.
  5. 1 2 3 "The History of Gold Mining in Nova Scotia - Drop the Plow and Grab the Pick: Gold Fever Hits Nova Scotia". 2013. Retrieved 2014-05-13.
  6. "The History of Gold Mining in Nova Scotia - A Misconception". 2013. Retrieved 2014-05-13.
  7. "Moose River gold mine project gets green light. Natural Resources Minister says decision 'difficult' to make". CBCNews. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Jun 15, 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  8. "Atlantic Gold Announces Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for Beaver Dam Deposit, Nova Scotia". Market Wired. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  9. GORMAN, MICHAEL (July 6, 2015). "Moose River mine rule change approved". The Chronicle Herald . Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  10. Willick, Frances (Oct 13, 2018). "N.S. plans to close 2 sites contaminated by old gold mines". CBC News . Retrieved 13 October 2018.