List Entry Information
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
135
Date Entered
15th February 1990
Date of Effect
15th February 1990
City/District Council
Hauraki District
Region
Waikato Region
Legal description
Pt Sec 356 Blk XVI OSD
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
135
Date Entered
15th February 1990
Date of Effect
15th February 1990
City/District Council
Hauraki District
Region
Waikato Region
Legal description
Pt Sec 356 Blk XVI OSD
Why is this place significant?
Historic Significance
Historical Significance or Value These tanks are a spectacular physical reminder of the leading role played by New Zealand mining engineers in the development at the turn of the century of a new method of gold extraction from low grade ores. It enabled the Coromandel-Thames-Ohinemuri fields to be more fully exploited, and for a time, to figure as some of the highest producing gold mines in the world. The process was widely employed elsewhere in the world.
Physical Significance
ARCHITECTURAL QUALITY: These cylindrical concrete tanks are the only examples of this type of construction and size in New Zealand. TOWNSCAPE/LANDMARK VALUE: These huge concrete cylinders which dominate the site of the former gold workings have a considerable landmark value.
Why is this place significant?
Historic Significance
Historical Significance or Value These tanks are a spectacular physical reminder of the leading role played by New Zealand mining engineers in the development at the turn of the century of a new method of gold extraction from low grade ores. It enabled the Coromandel-Thames-Ohinemuri fields to be more fully exploited, and for a time, to figure as some of the highest producing gold mines in the world. The process was widely employed elsewhere in the world.
Physical Significance
ARCHITECTURAL QUALITY: These cylindrical concrete tanks are the only examples of this type of construction and size in New Zealand. TOWNSCAPE/LANDMARK VALUE: These huge concrete cylinders which dominate the site of the former gold workings have a considerable landmark value.
Construction Professional
Name
Brown, C F
Type
Designer
Biography
When he designed and built the first cyanide tanks to use the agitation process for the extraction of gold from low grade ores from cyanide solution, C.F. Brown was general manager of the Komata Gold Mines, Ohinemuri.
Construction Details
Start Year
1905
Type
Original Construction
Construction Materials
Concrete
Notable Features
Size and material of construction.
Construction Professional
Name
Brown, C F
Type
Designer
Biography
When he designed and built the first cyanide tanks to use the agitation process for the extraction of gold from low grade ores from cyanide solution, C.F. Brown was general manager of the Komata Gold Mines, Ohinemuri.
Construction Details
Start Year
1905
Type
Original Construction
Construction Materials
Concrete
Notable Features
Size and material of construction.
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION: These six concrete cylinders are the largest cyanide tanks remaining in New Zealand. The cylinders are 16.7 metres (55ft) high and 3.66 metres (12ft) in diameter. Cyanide tanks elsewhere were smaller in size and variously made of wood, iron or steel.
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION: These six concrete cylinders are the largest cyanide tanks remaining in New Zealand. The cylinders are 16.7 metres (55ft) high and 3.66 metres (12ft) in diameter. Cyanide tanks elsewhere were smaller in size and variously made of wood, iron or steel.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Information Sources
McAra, J. B., 1988
J B McAra, Gold Mining at Waihi 1878-1952, Waihi, 1988
Barber, 1985
L Barber, 1985, No Easy Riches : a History of Ohinemuri County, Paeroa and Waihi 1855-1935, Ohinemuri County Council and Richards Publishers
Porter, 1983 (2)
Frances Porter (ed.), Historic Buildings of New Zealand: North Island (2nd edn.), Auckland, 1983
Other Information
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Information Sources
McAra, J. B., 1988
J B McAra, Gold Mining at Waihi 1878-1952, Waihi, 1988
Barber, 1985
L Barber, 1985, No Easy Riches : a History of Ohinemuri County, Paeroa and Waihi 1855-1935, Ohinemuri County Council and Richards Publishers
Porter, 1983 (2)
Frances Porter (ed.), Historic Buildings of New Zealand: North Island (2nd edn.), Auckland, 1983
Other Information
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.
Web Links
description: IPENZ Engineering Heritage
url: http://www.ipenz.org.nz/heritage/itemdetail.cfm?itemid=91
Web Links
description: IPENZ Engineering Heritage
url: http://www.ipenz.org.nz/heritage/itemdetail.cfm?itemid=91
Location
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