Copper
Copper was mined at Miner’s Head on the north of the island from 1842 to 1866.
There are other copper mine shafts which were more exploratory in nature including two shafts in Whangaparapara harbour.
Gold and Silver
Silver was discovered in Okupu around 1890 and shortly after gold on the slopes of the White Cliffs. A battery was built at the Sunbeam mine in Okupu and the Iona mine was also developed in Okupu. Around 1900 work began on the northern slopes of the White Cliffs, the Barrier Reefs and a large operation was established at Oreville. (about 5 k west of the present Claris shopping area and 12k east of Whangaparapara Harbour).