THE Wentworth and Reform mines at Lucknow could be added to the NSW State Heritage Register, with the proposal currently under consideration.
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The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage put forward the listing for the 1.9-hectare site in November.
Orange and District Historical Society secretary Phil Stevenson said including it on the register was of “the utmost importance”.
“A lot of people have no idea what went on whatsoever,” he said.
“It was a huge investment and 20 tonnes of gold came out of it.”
Mr Stevenson said a listing would protect the site and hoped it could mean more investment.
“We have no mineral collection on display despite our mining history,” he said.
The Wentworth Goldfield was discovered in 1851, two months after Ophir, which was Australia's first payable gold find.
The Reform Mine started production in the 1870s, while the Wentworth Main Shaft was sunk to a depth of 240 metres during the 1890s.
Much of the infrastructure was upgraded or replaced in the 1930s, with the original timber poppet head replaced with a metal one to pump water.
The stamper battery shed, complete with a 10-head stamper, ore processing tables and steam engine, is the only known example in NSW and one of five in Australia.
Mullock heaps were removed from Wentworth Mine in the 1950s, while the Reform Mine’s heaps are overgrown.
OEH said there was archaeological potential at the Reform Mine, although underground shafts and tunnels would be challenging.
Another State Heritage Register listing for Cook Park is also under consideration.