Tin Mine, Mount Wells
Date Published
: Mining (Tin)
: Northern Territory
: Mount Wells
: 1881
The Mount Wells tin mine was discovered in late 1881 and was worked by Chinese labourers.
Mount Well tin mine
"a call made in December last was that money was wanted to pay the Chinese, with whom a contract had been entered into to raise the ' tin.' "
Adelaide Observer, 24 March 1883, p.26.
"I experienced great difficulty in keeping the Chinese at work, and quite failed to induce them to sluice the gullies in a proper manner; the only way they would work was with the tin dish, the most primitive method known, and in consequence of their following the above plan they naturally worked on the best patches of tin only. These claims will pay handsomely if you can get cheap coolie labour, and make them work the ground properly."
South Australian Register, 28 April 1883, p.7.
"The Mount Wells tin mine is advertised to be let on tribute. "
South Australian Chronicle, 20 April 1895, p.6.
"The export of tin has fallen off to an extent not experienced for years. This is due to the abandonment of all fields hitherto worked by Chinese, the Asiatics having left tin to follow gold-mining at Pine Creek. "
The Advertiser, 2 December 1911, p.20.
"at the Mount Wells tin mine only three whites and 70 Chinese were working," "Mines had been let on tribute to Chinese, who had not opened up new ground."
"An option has been secured by Mee Wah and other Chinese for the purchase of the Mount Wells tin mine, ..."
Townsville Daily Bulletin, 25 March 1927, p.6.
