Gold Mining
In 1894, the Regina Mining Company, reorganized out of the Rajah Gold Mining Company of London, England, sent out to do exploratory work on a location on Regina Bay. After condemning the property as unfavourable, it was sold in 1894 to Regina Gold Mine Ltd. In 1895 mining finally got underway. A shaft was sunk 50 feet. The average width of vein was 2 feet, 6 inches, with no mention of made of ore values.
Thirty-five men were employed at the works of whom were 18 miners working two shifts per day of 10 hours each, four engineers, four millmen, three surface men, two blacksmiths, two cooks, one foreman and one clerk. By 1898 the total force was fifty-two, including twenty-four miners. There were four shafts. the main shaft was 6 feet by 10 feet and was 374 feet deep, the air shaft was 34 feet deep, the west vein was 72 feet deep and the camp shaft was 18 feet deep.
Since 1895, a total of $84,991.44 was taken out of the mine. 77 acres of land and 123 acres of water rights were included in the claim. In the spring of 1901 the shaft reached the depth of 475 feet, with a total force of 50 men, 16 to 18 miners.
Due to insufficient capital, the mine sold in 1902 to the Black Eagle Mining Company Ltd. It then became the Black Eagle Mine. The main shaft now reached a depth of 535 feet. By now employees numbered 71 with 42 miners. Again, in 1907, the mine was sold, this time to an English syndicate. The shaft was sunk to 545 feet and nine levels were opened up at 60 foot intervals. A vein of principally quartz and gold was found on this property.
After many subsequent changes of ownership, and frequent shutdowns, the mine was finally closed in 1942 and allowed to fill with water. It was 547 feet deep.
