Gullverket

Gullverket is a village in Eidsvoll municipality, Akershus county, Norway. The buildings are a mix of small farms, newer houses and vacation properties. The name of the hamlet resulted from the operation of gold mines here from 1758 and until 1907 with several interruptions in between.

In 1750 Ole Knudsen Viborg found a small gold nugget in this area. Eight years later the Brustad mines were operating in Northern Holsjøen. A smelter was constructed to the west near Lyssjøen, and slag heaps can still be seen from the operation here. The ore consisted more of copper than gold, so the plant was called Lyssjø copper mining, which remained in operation until 1807.

In 1897 an English company resumed operations. The Brustad mine was reopened, employing up to 120 workers. A smaller mine, Santander Mine, west of administration facility was also opened. The ore was processed by a large crusher at Gullverket. Homes were constructed for managers and workers. But the operation was far from profitable. The best year of 1902 only 50 kg gold were recovered, which did not cover expenses. In 1907 the operation was bankrupt.

Today, shops, schools and virtually all workplaces are closed. What is left is the actual mines, plant laboratory building and the stories of a golden age.

Coordinates: 60°22′00″N 11°20′49″E / 60.36667°N 11.34694°E / 60.36667; 11.34694

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