crushed at a five-head battery and obtained a few pennyweights of gold 
per ton. The country rock in which both the silver ore and the gold- 
bearing quartz were found is Heathcotian (Pre-Ordovician). 
Wherever the Heathcotian rocks have been examined thev have been 
* 
proved rich in metals and minerals of economic value, and from my 
knowledge of the country of the Mt. Camel range, I feel convinced that when 
this tract is properly prospected valuable discoveries will follow, the present 
copper discovery being an earnest of what is to be expected later on. 
Many years ago (about 1891) I traced these rocks northward for 40 miles 
to Lake Corop, but no detailed work has ever been done over most of the 
area. Heathcotian rocks are found from Heathcote to Tooborac and 
probably outcrop between Tooborac and Lancefield. 
The absence of surface indications of copper and other minerals in 
lodes that are rich a few inches or feet below is remarkable and accounts 
for much. Though the Mt. Camel country is cleared, and for the last 50 
years has been occupied and traversed in all directions, this copper lode 
might never have been discovered but for the sinking of a post-hole in it. 
There is a very wide expanse of country similar to that containing this lode, 
and, no doubt, there are many other lodes lying concealed in it that will 
require a most diligent and careful search if they are to be discovered. 
Not only at Mt. Camel, but at Barnawartha and at many other places, 
there is doubtless this absence of surface indications of ores beneath. The 
most probable reason for this is, that in Victoria the rainfall is sufficient to 
leach out every vestige of stain, for in drier countries the presence of such 
ores as those of copper are conspicuously marked by extensive blue and 
green* stains on the cap of the lode. 
This absence of surface signs is baffling to prospectors and will entail 
much more careful work in searching for lodes than has hitherto been 
considered necessary. It is also probable that much more mineral wealth 
exists in the State than has been imagined. 
If on further exploration the copper lode verifies its present promise it 
will lead to extensive search being made for miles around, where similar 
conditions prevail and perhaps result in other valuable discoveries in this 
unique tract of country. 
The country has been pegged and leases applied for for a considerable 
distance north and south of the site already opened up by Mr. Herds and 
his party, whose energy may lead to the development of a new branch of 
mining industry in the State. 
[.Report sent in 23.6.06.'] 
CUNNINGHAM’S ANTIMONY LODE, TYAAK, BROADFORD. 
By A. M . Howitt. 
The- antimony lode which is being worked on W. Cunningham’s allot¬ 
ment No. 132 11 , parish of Broadford, is situated to the north of Tyaak m 
the Reedy Creek district. It is about 5 miles from the nearest reefs now 
being worked, but departmental papers of the year 1895 show that a lease 
for quartz mining was held about 30 chains due east of Cunningham’s 
mine at that date. 
