Alexandra Cinema

Mining began in the Palmer River area in 1876 and production commenced from the "Alexander PC" (one of the earliest prospecting claims) in 1878. Crushings of selected ore enabled the mine to average a spectacular eight ounces of gold per ton during the 1870s. By 1880, the Alexandra had crushed a mere 183 LT of stone for a yield of 1,262 oz of gold, grossing well over . However cartage and crushing costs were high as the ore had to be taken 16 km to the battery. Therefore, a gold yield of two-three ounces per ton was required before a profit could be considered. Small scale production went on intermittently until 1895 when Edwin Field installed a steam pump and winding gear, taken from the…

The place is situated on a ridge at the head of a gully, about 500 m south of the Palmer River, at co-ordinates 16.06.01S - 144.19.00E. The mine workings and battery are closely confined on a terraced bench. The site of the managers house is evident alongside the road on top of the ridge and comprises a broken cement surface. A grinding pan has been removed to the house site. The mine workings are aligned along the strike of the reef and include, on the terrace level, a caved main shaft and an earlier shaft. An adit has been driven in from the gully to meet the main shaft. A single cylinder portable steam engine is located alongside the main shaft. (Since a survey of the site in 1982 a pump…