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The Karangahake Company determine to erect a stamper battery at Battery Flat. They talk about it from early 1875, but it is not established until mid 1876.
Results are very poor, and crushing is suspended late August.
In 1882 the Karangahake Battery becomes Hauraki Battery, then the Ivanhoe Battery in 1887.
14 years of unsuccessful to marginally successful operation comes to an end when the Ivanhoe Battery is sold for removal to Puriri in 1890.
A lack of photographs of this battery has added to the relative invisibility of this battery’s contribution to the early history of Karangahake.
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Karangahake/Hauraki/Ivanhoe battery |
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1875 |
Talk of erecting a battery. |
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1876 |
16 (or 20) stamp Karangahake battery erected powered by water race from Waitawheta River[1], battery “started” June 24. [2] The battery powered by turbine, crushing wet over amalgamated mercury plates (the “ordinary battery process”). 12 head of stampers operating August 7. [3] Late August crushing stopped due to very poor return. [4] |
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1877 |
Karangahake mine and battery on tribute. [5] Coutts and party. [6] |
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1881 |
Consideration was given to removing the battery to Waihi. [7] This never happened. |
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1882 |
Hauraki claim established. [8] Liddell, Mc Williams, and McCombie.[9] Karangahake Battery becomes Hauraki Battery. [10] First section of tramway beside Waitawheta River, and first cable way. |
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1883 |
First crushings at Hauraki battery very poor. Ivanhoe (Ohinemuri side of Taukani Hill) are to connect to the battery. [11] |
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1884 |
Sir Walter Scott erecting a shoot by which they will be able to tip their dirt into the mill (Hauraki). [12] |
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1885 |
January. The Hauraki battery plant is now in first-class working order, having undergone thorough overhaul since the holidays.[13] |
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1886 |
July. The repairs are all but completed in the battery. There is a rumour, as to the Sir Walter Scott and this mine amalgamating. [14] |
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1887 |
March. Ivanhoe. — The owners … renovating their battery plant, so as to meet the requirements of the district. Excepting the stampers the present plant will be entirely removed, and a number of Railey pans substituted. [15] |
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1889 |
June. Ivanhoe Battery: The repairs to the water-race having been completed, this Battery is again at work on a parcel of tailings.[16] |
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1890 |
March. Ivanhoe Battery sold for removal to Puriri. [17] Gone, after 14 years. |