Skip to main content

Kōrero: Mining and underground resources

Copper mine engine house, Kawau Island

Image
Copper mine engine house, Kawau Island

A thin copper lode was discovered on Kawau Island in 1842, and a mine was opened in 1846. Over the next two decades, about 2,500 tonnes of ore was mined and smelted for copper. At the water’s edge are the 20-metre chimney and ruins of the building that housed the steam engine and pump used to keep the mine free of water.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Private collection

by Bruce Thompson

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Simon Nathan, Mining and underground resources – Metals known but not mined, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/9242/copper-mine-engine-house-kawau-island (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Simon Nathan, i tāngia i te 2 March 2009.

Comments

Phil Oliver
12 June 2020
This building housed a pumping engine to dewater the mine workings. It was not a smelter!
Lars Turbak
28 December 2017
Hi there! Has anyone actully been there before? If so, do the odd bricks on the chimeny stick out further than 2-3cm? If so, i will ask if my intensions for a comany would be alright. Thanks, Lars Turbak