John Chapman investigated Mount Cuthbert, Excelsior and Mighty Atom copper claims in 1900 on behalf of Melbourne investors.

[1] The decision by the Queensland Government to extend the Great Northern railway from Townsville to beyond Richmond stimulated further exploration in 1905-06.

Accordingly, the Selwyn smelter ran for five months at the end of 1915 and into 1916 treating both companies' ore, including 13,000 long tons (13,000 t) railed from Mount Cuthbert.

The Mount Cuthbert Company also invested in a new winding engine and headframe, 200 long tons (200 t) capacity ore bins, extensions to the blacksmith's shop and electricity connected to all the surface buildings.

The mining company officers were housed in timber cottages and a barracks, while the majority of residents lived in tents or small corrugated iron shacks with earth floors and stone hearths.

[1] The railway arrived at Mount Cuthbert in October 1915 after taking two years to construct the section north-east from Dugald River.

By 1912 temporary pithead gear was in place: a winch and boiler and a headframe from Charters Towers was installed the next year.

However, continued annual losses, low metal prices and pressing debenture commitments forced its liquidation in 1923.

Extending north-east of the smelter floor are the concrete foundations and earth bench surfaces of the power house.

Storage hopper footings of a tranship stage are located along a rail spur line which terminates near the smelter floor.

A line of reinforced concrete piers and headstocks remain standing as evidence of an elevated rail alignment.

Surface evidence of the locations of the railway station building, platform and goods shed is still apparent on the east side of the formation.

[1] On its final approach to Mount Cuthbert, the rail formation curves around the site of the township which is situated on a low rise east of the smelter.

This area contains about 60 identifiable structural sites including stone fireplaces, stone-lined floor surfaces, retaining walls, and tank stands.

The commercial precinct is clearly discernible by a grouping of cement rendered surfaces close to the railway on the eastern side of the settlement.

Many smaller dwelling sites, some with stone fireplaces, are located on the western side of the township hill overlooking the mine and smelter.

The company officer's housing precinct site is located away from the township to the north, in a small gully of Six Mile Creek between the smelter and the Kalkadoon mine.

The remains of mullock dumps extend east from the early main shaft site and adjacent open cut workings.

[1] Surviving plant includes:[1] Mount Cuthbert Township and Smelter was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 25 May 2004 having satisfied the following criteria.

Although this pattern can be observed in other mining settlements such as Mount Mulligan or Kuridala, the location of the elements here is physically close and aesthetically pleasing.

The works clearly demonstrate physical links with the company's mines - Mount Cuthbert, Kalkadoon, Mighty Atom and Orphan - and also with the adjacent township area and the rail route from Kajabbi.

The natural environment of the Six Mile Creek valley is a most significant and distinguishing feature of the place giving it a picturesque setting.

The appearance of the smelter during the final approach along the railway cutting presents a reminder of the isolation of early mining settlements in remote regions of Australia.

The current access to the town via the picturesque railway alignment further heightens the visitor's appreciation of the large-scale early mining venture in the wilderness.