Throughout 2025, we’ll showcase the Homestake Mining Company, a cornerstone of our local heritage. This month’s featured photo shows us the Golden Star Mill, a 200-stamp mill that was part of the Homestake Mining Company.
The Homestake Mining Company in Lead began in 1877 and operated until 2001. It was the deepest, longest-operating and most profitable gold mine in the western hemisphere. The Golden Star Mill was built in 1879 and operated through 1922, when the south mill was built to replace it.
Milling is used to extract the gold from the rock in which it’s embedded, and continues to be an important part of gold mining. According to the South Dakota Historical Society, hardrock milling started in South Dakota in 1875 with the Black Hills gold rush.
At first, milling was a simple process done with hand-run machines. But as time advanced, milling became its own industry using more advanced machinery. The lower grade of gold ore, the more work it took to extract the gold. Since the Black Hills gold ore was typically low grade, the mining industry in the region needed to develop efficient milling techniques to maintain their profits.
The first step in extracting the gold was crushing, and took two stages. Many techniques were used over the years, including stamps – like the ones used at Golden Star Mill. The stamps were typically used in the second stage, and could be done using water and chemicals for a “wet crush” or without for a “dry crush”.
As these two industries – mining and milling – began to be defined, some operations were able to handle both, but not many. Homestake Mining Company was one of the few that handled both, and owned five mills.
Homestake Mining Company has come a long way from those early days, but our history will always be rooted in those plucky miners and millers who came to the Black Hills to seek their fortune. In fact, our casino gives you a chance to strike your own First Gold – no crushing involved.
Want to try your luck? Book a room with us. We can’t wait to see you there.