Homestake Mining Co. - 1879 dated Dakota Territory Mining Stock Certificate - Whitewood Milling District, Lawrence County, Dakota Territory

Stock printed by American Bank Note Co. New York. Homestake Mining Company was one of the largest gold mining enterprises in the United States, distinguished for its operation of the esteemed Homestake Mine situated in Lead, South Dakota. Founded in 1877, the company was taken over by Barrick Gold in December 2001. It is significant to note that Homestake is recognized for having the longest uninterrupted listing on the New York Stock Exchange. The company was established on November 5, 1877, when George Hearst (father of William Randolph Hearst), Lloyd Tevis, and his brother-in-law James Ben Ali Haggin acquired the 10-acre Homestake Mine from its original discoverer, Moses Manuel, for $70,000. Homestake became publicly traded on January 25, 1879, marking its initial public offering as the first mining stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

The company broadened its operations by developing hydroelectric facilities in 1910 and 1917, which were later sold to the city of Spearfish, South Dakota, in 2004. Paul C. Henshaw served as President from 1970 to 1977. In 1981, Homestake purchased its partner’s share in the uranium joint venture, United Nuclear Corporation, for $23 million, which included the acquisition of four uranium mines and a mill. Furthermore, the company obtained an additional 34% interest in a Bulgarian mine in March 1996 and, in April 1998, acquired Plutonic Resources Limited for $640 million, thereby expanding its portfolio with mines in Australia. In December 1998, Homestake secured the remaining 49.4% of Prime Resources Group. However, by September 2000, the company decided to close the Homestake Mine by January 2002, culminating in its acquisition by Barrick Gold in December 2001.