Gold fever intensified as new deposits were uncovered in Ōkārito, Bruce Bay, Charleston, and along the Grey River. During this period the population of the West Coast exploded from less than 500 people to over 30,000 in the space of only a few years. Miners, and entrepreneurs were eager to capitalise on the newfound wealth.

The initial fever began to wane, signalling the decline of the gold rush. But despite the end of the rushes and all that initial excitement, alluvial gold mining continued on the West Coast.

Mining activity on the Coast has been driven by the gold price. In the 1980’s mining activity increased and land that was previously not viable was (re)mined.

With the recent spike in gold prices, mining activity on the West Coast has increased. In 2016 the owners of Made of Gold acquired land on the Rimu Flats. This land is currently being mined by two family-owned contracting firms, who between them directly employ over 30 workers. Gold mining on the Coast is a significant contributor to the Coast GDP and provides the highest average earnings to workers of any industry. Previously unusable land is developed into productive land.

Link to Rimu Flats feature on the Discover Channel's Gold Rush series

Our owners, Brent & Maria Robinson and Shaun & Susan Drylie (Shaun and Maria are brother and sister) are Coasters who have a love for the Coast and its people. Brent Robinson and Susan Drylie (nee Hughes), both born and bred Coasters, have gold dust in their veins. Brent’s passion for gold began when he worked after school driving machinery for his dad and 3 uncles in their contracting business. After qualifying as an Engineer, he then worked full-time on his father’s mines. Brent now oversees the mine today. Two of Susan’s great great grandfathers (Thomas Hughes and Jo Chee) were involved in the original Otago Gold rush in the 1860’s.