The Mount Lyell copper mine in Queenstown also emerged in 1890. George Bell discovered the Silver Queen Mine in 1887 and the Renison Bell tin deposit in 1890. After Frank Long discovered silver-lead in 1882, Zeehan emerged as the most important mining centre, and by 1908 was Tasmania's third largest town, and the base for many prospecting expeditions. However, a decline began in north-east Tasmania in 1890, whereas in western Tasmania mining was operating at peak level. Gold made its mark as early as 1852, and continued to develop from 1860 to 1890, notably at Beaconsfield from 1877 and the Golden Gate at Mathinna from 1887.
Known as Tasmania's tin province, the north-east generated substantial wealth for almost a century. The most significant mine, Brothers' Home at Derby, was established in 1876, and became the rich Briseis Tin Mine, which operated until 1956, producing an estimated 20,800 tons of tin oxide. Within three years, mines had been established at Branxholm, Derby, Bradshaws Creek (Pioneer), Weldborough, South Mount Cameron and Gladstone. George Bell's discovery of tin near Mount Cameron in 1874 caused a flurry of prospecting activity along the Ringarooma Valley and on the Blue Tier. The lure of gold and tin had already drawn prospectors to north-east Tasmania. Extensive alluvial gold deposits were found at Middletons Creek in 1879, followed by a reef of gold at nearby Specimen Creek in 1881. The first western deposit of tin found was the Heemskirk Tinfield in 1876. Mount Bischoff started a prospecting boom throughout Tasmania that lasted thirty years. Western Tasmania became the focus of explorers, prospectors and track cutters. However, it was the discovery of the rich Mount Bischoff tin deposit in 1871 that changed the mining landscape. The Douglas River Coal Company's mine opened in 1849, and the Mersey Coalfield near Latrobe in 1850. The first successful mine was opened in 1834 at Plunkett Point, with convicts from nearby Port Arthur providing labour. From 1803 to 1820, coal was found at several locations including Richmond and Colebrook, Schouten Island, Macquarie Harbour and Bruny Island. The early settlers began quarrying sandstone, limestone and clay for building materials, and extracting coal for fuel. Mining began in Tasmania long before the arrival of the first European settlers in 1803, for the Tasmanian Aborigines were engaged in the small-scale mining of flints, salt and ochre. Undated postcard of the Magnet mine (Tasmaniana Library, SLT)
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