Joadja mines

(incl. Box Vale, Golden Moon Bluff Adit)

?- ?

(Rev 1.0)

Australian Kerosene Oil and Minerals Company.

1873 – Edward Carter registers a mining claim for oil shale on Joadja Creek. Edward and his father, Benjamin Carter, settling in the area at Emu Creek in the 1840’s, were the first to discover the shale oil deposit somewhat earlier. Edward Carter eventually sells his holdings to the Australian Kerosene Oil and Mineral Company. (“Canyonleigh History” Canyonleigh Community Association)

1874 – A dispute as to ownership of the land on which the shale is located between Messrs Cosgrove and Carter each taking up the land, one in Sydney the other in Berrima, but on different days. It is stated that the selection by Carter is illegal, he having taken it up on a day other than the one appointed by the Government. Messrs Lamb and Brown have four men working on the ground and upon settlement of the dispute will put a number of men to work. (SMH 13/02/1874 p5, ex Trove)

1874 – The dispute continues between Carter and Cosgrove. Messrs Brown and Lamb, with three men employed, are proposing to lay a tramway from the mine to Mittagong. Rumours have Mr Carter obtaining the land and is about to sell to Lamb and Brown. (The Goulburn Herald and Chronicle, 25/07/1874 p3, ex Trove)

1874 – The shale seams at Joadja range 2’6” to 4’0” in thickness. On the east side of the creek Brown and Lamb have taken up 600 acres with three men prospecting for the last 7 months. Also on the eastern side P. Larkin and another have taken up 100 acres. On the western side several blocks have been taken up but have been in dispute since January. (SMH 24/08/1874 p5, ex Trove)

1874 – Mr Larkin has already commenced work on his 100 acre lease with markets in Sydney paying £3.10/- per ton of shale. Cost delivered £1.15/- per ton. (Aust. Town & Country Journal 26/09/1874 p19, ex Trove)

1876 - Joadga (sic) Creek Petroleum Oil Cannel Coal – works commence. Owned by Messrs. John De Villiers Lamb and others. (DoMAR 1876)

1877 – At Carter’s mine the manager, Mr Murray, is still engaged at his house, which is nearly finished. Messrs. Lamb, Parbury and Co. has nearly completed their tramway across the valley. The main adit is being driven for ventilation to connect with No 3 (seam?). No 2 (seam?) the seam looks remarkably well. A large engine is being fitted under the management of Mr. Hessiter? will be ready to get up steam on the 2^nd August. (SMH 01/08/1877 p3, ex Trove)

1877 – With advice from Scottish oil-shale engineer, Lamb made the decision to expand Joadja mining with the building of retorts and a refinery. (P. D. Morton, Berrima District Historical Soc.)

1878 – The trespass action court case was undertaken over six days with a jury of four, the plaintiff, John De Villiers Lamb claiming £500 damages from Edward Carter for trespassing and digging kerosene shale on his land at Joadja. The jury found a verdict for the defendant. (Evening News 29/05/1878 p2, ex Trove)

1878 – A syndicate of lease owners register the Australian Kerosene Oil & Mineral Company (AKO) with £50,000 as capital. AKO commences to purchase all the adjacent leases including Edward Carters. (P. D. Morton, Berrima District Historical Soc.)

1878 – Reference to “Carter’s Petroleum Cannel Mines, Joadja Ck.” (SMH 15/08/1878 ex Trove)

1879 – Notice to the Legislative Assembly – Leave to bring a bill to enable the Australian Kerosene Oil and Mineral Co to construct a railway to connect Joadja Creek Tramway with the Gt. Southern Railway. (SMH 28/11/1879 p3, ex Trove)

1879 – Joadja Creek Mine is operational. Has access to some 1800 acres and employs approximately 50 miners. The lower seam is between 10” and 14” thick, the upper seam 7” to 10”. (DoMAR 1879)

1879 – Fatality – John Kiernan, brakeman, killed upon being thrown from a waggon on the Joadja Creek Tramway. (DoMAR 1879)

1882 – Fatality, 15^th July, – James Clues, killed by fall of coal. (DoMAR 1882)

1883 – Joadja Shale Mining Company still extending the oil works at Joadja but much of the production is being stock piled at Mittagong due to lack of shipping accommodation to send to foreign markets. (DoMAR 1883)

Joadja Mine;

1885 – Fatality, 25^th Sept., John Potter, breaksman, run over by a truck. (DoMAR 1885)

1886 – Employees number 20 at the surface and 90 u/g producing 9,318 tons (DoMAR 1886)

1904 – DoM receives notice that Joadja mine re-opened 6/12/1904. (DoMAR 1904)

1904 - DoM receives notice that Mr. E. M. Easson has been appointed manager of Joadja mine (DoMAR 1904)

Associated Companies;

Joadja Creek Petroleum Oil Cannel Coal (Lamb)

Australian Kerosene Oil & Mineral Company

Australian Gas-light Company

Joadja Shale Mining Company

Joadja Mine