Charles Hervey Bagot emigrated to South Australia on the 'Birman' with his wife Mary, née MacCarthy, and their five children, arriving at Port Adelaide on 17 December 1840. Bagot's youngest son Charles Samuel discovered copper mineralization and by mid 1843 Bagot Snr. became principal owner of the Kapunda Mine.
The Kapunda Mine, initially owned by Captain Charles Bagot, commenced operations in January 1844, just seven years after the British colony of South Australia was proclaimed. It was the first successful mine in Australia, predating the much larger Burra Mine by almost two years.
The mine was run as a private partnership until the formation of the Kapunda Mining Company in 1851. The company operated the mine until 1866 when falling ore grades and copper prices forced it to lease the mine to the Kapunda Copper Company. The mine eventually closed in 1878.
Local notes
The Kapunda Mine, initially owned by Captain Charles Bagot, commenced operations in January 1844, just seven years after the British colony of South Australia was proclaimed. It was the first successful mine in Australia, predating the much larger Burra Mine by almost two years.
The mine was run as a private partnership until the formation of the Kapunda Mining Company in 1851. The company operated the mine until 1866 when falling ore grades and copper prices forced it to lease the mine to the Kapunda Copper Company. The mine eventually closed in 1878.