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Story: Mining and underground resources

Copper mine engine house, Kawau Island

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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.

Using this item

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.

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How to cite this page

Simon Nathan, Mining and underground resources – Metals known but not mined, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/9242/copper-mine-engine-house-kawau-island (accessed 25 June 2026).

Story by Simon Nathan, published 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