Kenville Gold Mine

Kenville History

History of Gold on the West Coast

Gold was discovered in California in 1848 and with it, the science and art of exploration began along the west coast. The interior of British Columbia became a very active exploration area for prospectors seeking their fortunes.

At the time, the cost and complexity of mining equipment meant that locating and extracting deep deposits of gold was difficult if not out-right impossible. In today’s geological prospecting process, a deposit is generally drilled and subjected to a host of geochemical and geophysical examinations prior to mine development.  In the case of the Kenville Gold Mine, this could not be done as many of the tools that existed at that time were basic at best.

In 2010, modern exploration and computer-assisted programs have reinvigorated the discovery potential of riches both at the old minesite and to the south. 

Kenville: Over 100 Years of History

The current area covered by the Kenville Gold Mine holdings has a storied past. It was first developed around 1888 when gold bearing quartz veins were located on the north slope of Toad Mountain. The richness and extent of these veins led to the development of the first lode mine in the province.

By 1898, a large amount of development work had been done underground and the mine was a collection of unconnected adits and drifts. By 1900, hundreds of metres of development work had been completed.

The original mining companies in operation on the claims were ‘Eagle Creek Gold Mining Co.’ and ‘Granite Gold Mines’. In 1901, the mines were grouped under the term ‘Duncan United Mines’.  Under the Duncan Mines’ direction, a more unified approach was developed to expand the mine footprint as a unit instead of high grading known veins.

The Crown Grants weathered many changes in ownership and mill configuration and in 1945, Kenville Gold Mines Ltd. acquired the properties. Over the next five years, more than 6,096 metres (20,000 ft) of surface and underground diamond drilling was done around the mine and a 125-tonne-per-day mill was in operation from 1947-1949. In 1954, during tough economic times, the mill eventually closed.

Government records show that the mine complex has produced 2,029 kg of gold, 861 kg of silver, plus an assortment of other metals since 1890. A total of 181,395 tonnes have been mined to date.