ALBERTITE

One of the most famous mines of the 19^th century in New Brunswick was the albertite mine found in Albert Mines, near Hillsborough.  Albertite, named after its location, is a jet black bituminous substance that was used for gas lighting and in the manufacture of kerosene oil.  Although accounts tell of its discovery in 1820 by Gould Hoar, it remained an untapped resource as it’s potential for gas illumination was still unknown. Interest was renewed in the mid 1840's when the Duffy brothers rediscovered a large vertical black vein along a deep ravine that had become exposed following a small dam burst.

 The mineral became famous in 1852 when Abraham Gesner, the inventor of kerosene oil, became embroiled in a legal battle against the Albert Mining Company over mining rights and the very nature of the mineral itself.  Experts testified  that  albertite was a coal, while Gesner argued it was a bitumen.  Although Gesner lost the court case, later findings would verify that it was a bitumen.

For over 30 years, large quantities of albertite were shipped to New England, principally Boston, and other Maritime destinations.  It is easy to see why Albertite was valued as a strong commodity as historical documentation would suggest that the mine generated nearly 4.5 million dollars in revenue, a handsome sum for the day.  The mine was closed in 1879 when the veins  become exhausted.

A search for albertite samples and a visit to the old mine site are part of our Albertite & Fish Fossil Hiking Tour.