Copper was found in the area in 1874 by J.E. Wright of Foxlow station.
The Molonglo goldfield was declared in 1882 and mining for gold and silver commenced at two mines, Koh-i-noor and Commodore, which were operated by two mining companies.
 Two blast furnaces were built in 1885.
 The two companies merged in 1894 and formed the Lake George United Mining and Smelting Company.
 Up to that time the mines had produced mainly copper with some silver and a small amount of gold.
 Processing was made harder because of the presence of zinc.
 To convey ore to the bins at the smelter, the company built a 2 ft (610mm) tramway in 1897.
Trains of small 4-wheel dump cars were hauled by a Krauss steam locomotive.
The tramway appears to have closed about 1902.
In the early twentieth century the mine produced gold and copper.
 Mining activity ceased in 1920.

The impact on European markets due to World War II meant mining operations were subsidised by the government through power and freight concessions as the foreign revenue was seen as important to the Australian economy.
 In 1940, 550 people were employed and the local population was 1700.
 The mining company, Lake George Mines, built 152 fibro cottages for married miners, a hostel for single men and some of the population lived in tents.
 The company also built a theatre, hospital, tennis courts and a swimming pool, and paid for the medical staff, the provision of street lighting, electricity and water.

In the 1930s and 1940s many of the old buildings were replaced including the hotel.
 The new hotel built in 1938 was said to have the longest bar in Australia at the time; it was 32 metres long.
Copper was found in the area in 1874 by J.E. Wright of Foxlow station. The Molonglo goldfield was declared in 1882 and mining for gold and silver commenced at two mines, Koh-i-noor and Commodore, which were operated by two mining companies.  Two blast furnaces were built in 1885.  The two companies merged in 1894 and formed the Lake George United Mining and Smelting Company.  Up to that time the mines had produced mainly copper with some silver and a small amount of gold.  Processing was made harder because of the presence of zinc.  To convey ore to the bins at the smelter, the company built a 2 ft (610mm) tramway in 1897. Trains of small 4-wheel dump cars were hauled by a Krauss steam locomotive. The tramway appears to have closed about 1902. In the early twentieth century the mine produced gold and copper.  Mining activity ceased in 1920.
The impact on European markets due to World War II meant mining operations were subsidised by the government through power and freight concessions as the foreign revenue was seen as important to the Australian economy.  In 1940, 550 people were employed and the local population was 1700.  The mining company, Lake George Mines, built 152 fibro cottages for married miners, a hostel for single men and some of the population lived in tents.  The company also built a theatre, hospital, tennis courts and a swimming pool, and paid for the medical staff, the provision of street lighting, electricity and water.
In the 1930s and 1940s many of the old buildings were replaced including the hotel.  The new hotel built in 1938 was said to have the longest bar in Australia at the time; it was 32 metres long.
Captains Flat